GRAND BISCUIT, "BATHER WITH SWALLOWS" BY AUGUSTE JOSEPH PEIFFER (1832 CA. 1886)

"Bather with Swallows" after Auguste Joseph Peiffer in white porcelain biscuit, France, late 19th century.

Depicted seated on a natural rock, the young nude woman is delicately turned to the left in a contemplative pose, her arms crossed over her knees, her gaze lowered. A draped garment falls softly from her waist to her legs, while three swallows in flight or perched complete the composition at her feet. The back of the naturalistic base is decorated with vegetation in low relief. The signature J. Peiffer is incised on the rock at the rear of the base.

This model is a faithful reproduction of the marble entitled The Swallows, presented by Auguste Joseph Peiffer at the Salon of 1878. The original work is now kept in Champigny-sur-Marne.

State of preservation: good overall condition; slight chips at the tips of the swallows' wings and fine traces of cooking visible at the base.