Pedestal [for Woman from the French Colonies]

Art Historical Context

This exquisite pedestal, crafted in 1861 by sculptors Charles-Henrioseph Cordier and Charles Rossigneux, was to support Cordier's celebrated bust *Woman from the French Colonies Hailing from Paris during the opulent Second Empire period under Napoleon III, it exemplifies French luxury craftsmanship in the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts. Standing at over 41 inches tall and weighing a substantial 427 pounds, the pedestal reflects the era's fascination with grandeur and colonial exoticism, serving as a base for ethnographic-inspired portraiture that romanticized France's imperial reach. The pedestal's striking materials—rich red and white marble inlaid with intricate patterns, accented by gleaming gilt-bronze mounts and ornaments—highlight advanced marble-working techniques. The contrasting marbles evoke ancient Roman porphyry, a nod to neoclassical revival, while the bronze details add a lavish, imperial flair. Cordier, renowned for his lifelike busts of diverse colonial figures, collaborated with Rossigneux to create a harmonious ensemble that elevated the sculpture's display. Today, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (acquired via the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Fund in 2006), this piece invites reflection on 19th-century tastes, blending artistic virtuosity with the cultural narratives of empire and identity. A testament to Parisian ateliers' skill, it remains a captivating highlight for visitors exploring French decorative arts.

About the Artist

Charles-Henri-Joseph Cordier|Charles-François Rossigneux (French|French) · 1827 |1818 –1905 |1909

French, 1827–1905|French, 1818–afer 1909