4 June 2014 Russian Art Auctions
4 June 2014
528. A CIRCASSIAN ON HORSEBACK
AFTER A MODEL BY EVGENY LANCERAY, INSCRIBED WITH A SIGNATURE IN CYRILLIC AND DATED 1873, F. CHOPIN FOUNDRY, FINANCE MINISTRY STAMP
Bronze with mid brown patina, height 27 cm.
4,000–6,000 GBP
An excellent rider himself and the son of a French officer, Lanceray dedicated the majority of his works to depictions of equestrian subjects. At the heart of Lanceray’s inspiration for the Circassian bronze series, lies his fascination with Caucasian culture and in particular the ‘dgigitovka’ – a courageous equestrian sport popular amongst the many nations of the Caucuses – in which a brave and talented master horseman performed various complex and dangerous tricks at full gallop. Similarly, Lanceray became interested in Georgian culture in his attempt to understand and praise the various cultural identities of the Russian empire.
These small figures are a spectacular example of the sculptor’s exquisite understanding of both the traditional culture, as shown by in his lively and realistic casting, and the sense of movement brilliantly combined with the expressive character of the hero.
After the Circassian was presented at the Universal Exhibition in Philadelphia, critics in the French newspapers praised the outstanding quality of the figure and were mutually agreed that it alone was worth more than dozens of other bronzes.
Notes on symbols:
* Indicates 5% Import Duty Charge applies.
Ω Indicates 20% Import Duty Charge applies.
§ Indicates Artist's Resale Right applies.
† Indicates Standard VAT scheme applies, and the rate of 20% VAT will be charged on both hammer price and premium.