Superb pair of 19thc Orientalist polychrome busts by Goldscheider

A superb pair of late 19th century Austrian Orientalist polychrome terracotta busts by Friedrich Goldscheider, both figures stamped to the reverse - ADDITIONAL IMAGES CAN BE VIEWED BELOW:

This pair of figures are a Kabyle Berber couple, this Berber ethnic group was indigenous to Kabylia in Northern Algeria and were produced in various sizes, also as full length figures as well as busts, the male known as Antar and the female, Abla. 
 
The bearded male figure of Antar wears a keffiyeh, a traditional headdress worn by men from areas of the Middle East, with traditional clothing supported on a tapering square plinth base.

The female figure of Abla also wearing a traditional headdress and clothing with jewellery adorning her neck also supported on a tapering square plinth base, both figures with ‘F Goldscheider, Wien’ stamp and model number 926 to the reverse.

The figure of Antar was designed by Arthur Strasser, a renowned Viennese sculptor and Abla was designed by Desurmont, Arthur Strasser worked closely with Friedrich Goldscheider to produce naturalistic polychrome sculptures in the Orientalist style.
 
Friedrich Goldscheider founded the Goldscheider Manufactory & Majolica Factory in 1885 and became one of the most influential ceramic manufacturers of terracotta, faience and bronze items of the time, no other company produced terracotta ware of such high quality as Goldscheider did.

The Orientalist figures that Goldscheider produced were popular at this period of time many of them polychrome Arabs and Moors which symbolised the exotic.

Reference: information regarding these and similar figures can be found in the book ‘Goldscheider’ by Robert E Dechant & Filipp Goldscheider, pages 34-41 and page 306.

This pair of busts are in excellent original condition for age, are of stable construction and can go straight into a home.

Size of male:

Height: 18.75'' / 47.5cm 

Width: 13'' / 33cm

Depth: 7'' / 17.75cm

Size of female:

Height: 18.75'' / 47.5cm

Width: 11'' / 28cm

Depth: 7'' / 17.75cm