Statue, Joueur de banjo - 38 cm - Porcelain

Magnificent and rare, a model of a Black gentleman playing the banjo. His face is expressive and his suit of great elegance. The level of detail is impressive, from the clothing and shoes to the chair and the stage on which he is seated. I have seen only one specimen of this particular sculpture in a high-end Paris antique shop priced at €5,000. The manager thought that this figurine may have been originally carved by the Italian artist Pietro Calvi, and that this model could have been produced by the Ateliers Maresch or Bloch. The only markings under the base are the number 4 and 2057. In generally good condition, except for a repair on one side of the hat; see the last photo.