Object Description
Rare life-size patinated bronze female sculptural lamp by Larche
French, c.1900
Height 150cm, width 53cm, depth 40cm
Designed by the leading Art Nouveau artist François-Raoul Larche, (French, 1860-1912), this exceptionally rare and monumental lamp takes the form of a standing life-size female sculpture cast in patinated bronze. Titled ‘Les Roseaux,’ it was cast by the Siot foundry after Larche’s design. The subject of the work is Loie Fuller, the famous dancer, and muse for many an artist active around this time. Larche is perhaps best known for his female figures, both nude and draped, and here he depicts this hypnotic and charismatic dancer with her full vitality, movement, character, and allure.
While examples of this model and two others similar to it have appeared at auction, no other work compares with this for its scale and quality; an Art Nouveau bronze of this size is an exceptionally rare find. Fuller is depicted standing amongst tall reeds with light fittings, and she is signed for the Siot foundry and bears further stamps as shown.