Bronze Hound's Art Collection: "Head Of A Woman" Bronze Casket Box By Eugène Léon L'Hoëst (1874-1937)

This came to me through another online auction about a year ago. The same seller that sold me the bronze copy of the "First American" incense burner had it listed, and it was so unusual that I had to bid on it. Once again it's not the sort of thing that I typically buy, but this little bronze "casket" box (usually meant to be used for jewelry or some such on a woman's dresser) or possibly a snuff box was so pretty that I just had to try for it. Happily, I won!

My lovely box is absolutely covered in sculptural works. The lid is almost entirely comprised of a beautiful and almost elfin face surrounded by long, flowing hair. Around the face and hair are plants with leaves and berries and vines. The net effect is that of an elf peering through the wild foliage or growing out of a flower. It's really quite breathtaking, even moreso in person than in pictures. At the four cardinal points on the sides of the box itself are sculpted yet more plants and flowers. Given the small size, this must have taken an incredible amount of work to sculpt. The details are exquisitely rendered. It's just a thing of beauty to behold.

I strongly believe that this box dates from the Art Nouveau period, and was probably cast anywhere from the late 1880's right up to the 1920's. It's definite that it's an antique, and without a doubt the "real deal." The patina is original and has aged to an overall dark chocolate brown with a deep verdigris green that almost seems to underlie the brown. This verdigris is benign and may well have been applied as original patina. I have no intention of disturbing it! The patina, whether applied or developed, truly enhances the artistry of this piece and raises it to a level that is quite sublime. I just keep it waxed.

The top and bottom are each numbered inside, so that as they are cast in matched pairs the correct top stays with its matching bottom. On the underside of the bottom of the box is stamped "Gorham Founders," which (of course) means it was cast by that famous foundry. There is a signature on the lid which reads, "E L'Hoest." I've just found out that this is the signature of Eugène Léon L'Hoëst. He was apparently a very famous French sculptor of the Beaux Arts and Orientalism movements. The title of this piece is "Head of a Woman" - another box that had been cast at a different foundry sold at auction in France in 2010. More to follow soon...