A Decorative French Shop-Window Mannequin Form c.1930

SOLD
Origin: French
Period: Early 20thC
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1920-30
Width: 15”
Height: 26”
Depth: 9” (all at extremities)

The well proportioned compressed paper and card mannequin form, for the shop window display of garments, its surface now bearing a superb aged patination in a myriad of greys, turquoises and vergris, surviving from early twentieth century France.

The mannequin form is superbly decorative with a truly dreamy colour, akin to being weathered bronze almost, and not being contrived in any way, and as such is wonderfully evocative. Structurally it is sound, with some damage to the neck opening as pictured. It once would have been on a pole stand which is absent so it makes for a good table top sculpture.

This mannequin would have been made to order for one of the top window displays of its day, with full body forms also present in an effort to more closely mimic human activities. The French were the best at making such forms.

Texture, colour and form all paramount here.
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