Pair of Orientalist patinated bronze figures by Salmson

This pair of bronze figures by the celebrated French sculptor Jean Jules Salmson is finished with the beautiful, multitoned patina for which he is renowned. The male figure was modelled in 1875 and is known as ‘Le Guerrier Arabe’, or The Arab Warrior, while the female figure was modelled in 1880 and is called ‘La Porteuse’, or The Water Carrier.

‘Le Guerrier Arabe’ braces his right hand against his sashed waist, thrusting his elbow into the air. The handles of a sabre and a pistol are visible above the sash that wraps his midriff. He carries a long rifle on his back, his left hand grasping its over-shoulder strap. A flowing headdress sits atop his head while he carries his hat on his back. The female figure, ‘La Porteuse’, clad in a robe tied with rope, stands in contrapposto and holds a water vase in her right hand. Both figures are draped in beautifully rendered clothing, the folds intricately cast and skilfully patinated.

Each figure stands upon a circular base naturalistically cast to render grassy ground. Each base is signed ‘SALMSON’.

Male figure: Height 56cm, width 23cm, depth 20cm
Female figure: Height 54cm, width 20cm, depth 20cm