A Pair of Patinated Bronze Figures Of The Egyptian High Priest ‘Pastophore’ and The Egyptian Scribe ‘Hierogrammate’

Description

The Egyptian High Priest ‘Pastophore‘ and The Egyptian Scribe ‘Hierogrammate‘ by Emile Louis Picault (French, 1833-1915).

Each signed ‘Picault‘
Gilt and patinated bronze and red marble.

The casts part of a limited edition attributed to Georges Émile Henri Servant.

A Fine Pair of Ancient Egyptian Figural Bronzes, by Emile-Louis Picault. The male Egyptian figures are intricately cast in traditional attire. The patina is multi-toned which shows off the contrast between skin and clothing, with gilded highlights adding a sense of extra drama to the figures. Small pieces of marble are also incorporated in the objects being carried by the Priests and each stands on a stepped red and black marble base.

A Pastophorus is a type of priest in ancient Egypt, responsible for carrying holy shrines in official ceremonies or processions. A Hierogrammat is a writer of sacred records especially in hieroglyphics.

Picault was a student of Louis Royer and exhibited a wide genre of sculpture at the Paris Salon from 1860 to 1909. His Egyptian figures, of Queens and Pharaoh’s and Priests and Priestesses, are amongst his most popular works and follow in the tradition of ethnographic decorative sculpture in France during the late Nineteenth Century and the fashion for Egyptian subjects which followed Napoleon’s campaigns in the Nile delta. The overly ornate head-dresses, complicated pleats and accessories echo the romantic ideals of the Belle Epoque.

The fondeur and bronzier Georges Servant was recorded at 137, rue Vieille-du-Temple, Paris. He specialized in the Greek and Egyptian Revival style and was a medallist at the major international exhibitions between 1867 and 1887.

France, Circa 1880.

A pair of figures of the same size and edition, in the collection of Aberystwyth University School of Art Museum and Galleries.