A rare life-size wooden artist's lay figure, most likely Italian, circa 1870
A rare life-size wooden artist's lay figure, most likely Italian, circa 1870
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REFERENCE: B2112
Articulated figures found among the stocks of art supply merchants, date back several centuries. Ranging in size from under 7 inches to larger than life-size, the earliest and finest examples are of South German origin from the early 16th century. Engineered with an ingenious system of gut bands, these are posable in multiple ways, with movable trunk, limbs, feet and hands, even the individual joints of the fingers. Minute and meticulous attention was paid to every articulation.
The exquisite, earliest boxwood examples of male and female figures were not suitable for rigorous use in artist studios and were likely made for display in Kunstkammer collections, reflecting the interest in the human body during the Renaissance. They also give us a historical milestone in the evolution of small scale carved figures becoming artistic works in their own right, as referenced in the collections of Innsbruck Museum, Austria and Berlin's Bode Museum.
Mannequins, also known a lay figures, became more androgynous from the 18th into the 19th century, by which time they were constructed in pine, linden or walnut with wooden pegs and separate male and female figures were seldom made. A superlative 18th century example is the model used by the sculptor Louis-Francois Roubiliac. Now in the collection of the Museum of London, it has the original box with clothing, male and female, along with hat and wig.
Reaching their peak of manufacture and popularity in France circa 1850, ownership was coveted. "Mannequin Articule’ " would be listed in the inventory of important artists' possessions at that time.
Keenly sought after by collectors, the figures' desirability and rarity is defined by size, quality, condition, antiquity and particularly, the deftness of the carving. This example have some lovely detail on the hands and face, most probably Italian (otherwise French) and carved from walnut. It is extremely rare to find life sized lay figures in such good condition due to heavy use. This one retains all of its original features and has had no restorations over the years. The patina and colour are wonderful, it even retains it original stand.
Antique lay figures like this one can still be used today in the same way it was being used 150 years ago but they are more likely to be part of private collections for the aficionados of artist memorabilia, Wunderkammer, or simply as decorative items in modern or period interiors. What is certain is that they create a lot of interest and a certain conversation piece in any collection.
Condition: very good
Dimensions: including stand 176cm high, 45cm wide, 24cm deep, stand depth: 35cm