FIGURINES at BRENDA GINSBERG ART & ANTIQUES

Pair antique French soft paste figurines Magnificent pair of old French soft paste figurines measure approx 10" and 10 1/4" respectively. Two cherub - faced young girls sit atop a small pillar. One represents INDUSTRY and the other IDLENESS. Strangely, the words are written in English, but the pieces were confirmed to be French by 2 experts. Each figurine is beautifully modelled. Around her head she has a garland of wild flowers. Loose fitting robes, fall of the shoulder of each young girl. The boddice is bordered by a turquoise ribbon or posy of flowers and the sleeves are similairly adorned with a turquoise ribbon. This matches the garland of flowers above the small base of each piece and the wreath in the hair of each girl. The cloth that Industry is working and the book that Idleness reads are left plain white, as is most of the rest of the figures. Details of hair and delicte flowers are very fine. THe pieces are in good condition. Since they are made of soft paste, some dirt has seeped into the clay, particularly around Idleness's knee. None of this is offensive, but adds to the charm of these beautiful people. There is quite a lot of crazing, clearly shown in the photos and some of the flowers on the base of Idleness seem to have been reglued. However, besides some very minor chips, everything else is in very good shape. The base of each piece is marked with her name:Idleness and Industry. Please contact me via ginton@flinet.com directly since we have had problems with the Antiques Alley form. If you want to see another 'photo of this item, click on the blue writing "another view".