Susse Frères - Gaston Herbemont (1883-?) - Bust, Cherry Girl - 43 cm - Terracotta






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Terracotta Art Déco sculpture 'Cherry Girl' by Gaston Herbemont (born 1883), France; 43 × 13 × 13 cm; hand-signed and in good condition with minor wear.
Description from the seller
A century after the twilight of the Roaring Twenties, this unsettling and magnetic "Cherry Girl"—the work of French sculptor Gaston Herbemont—still radiates charm. Crafted from warm-toned terracotta with organic nuances and resting upon a marble pedestal, the piece emerged from the legendary Susse Frères foundry in Paris during the height of the *Belle Époque*. In this face—defined by stylized features and a geometric hairstyle—Herbemont captures the pulse of an era devoted to pleasure, art, and stylistic sophistication. The young woman’s restrained, sidelong smile hints at a refined playfulness; she is a true charmer, transcending the realm of mere figurative portraiture to become the embodiment of an almost feline poise.
The treatment of form reveals a masterful virtuosity, marking a transition toward the modernity of Art Déco. The clean, striated lines of her hair—sculpted with a geometric precision that evokes both classical restraint and the lighthearted spirit of the Roaring Twenties—contrast beautifully with the delicate texture of her skin and the subtle definition of her cheekbones. In the slight tilt of her neck and the elegance of her stylized ears, one senses a self-aware hedonism—a blend of pastoral innocence and urban boldness that evokes the echoes of theatrical comedy, private Parisian soirées, and the carefree verses of an inimitable era.
- Provenance: Private collection
- Measurements: 43 x 13 x 13 cm
- Good condition, with minor wear.
- This piece will be packaged using specialized technical packaging and a high-security shipping process to ensure prompt delivery in optimal condition.
Seller's Story
A century after the twilight of the Roaring Twenties, this unsettling and magnetic "Cherry Girl"—the work of French sculptor Gaston Herbemont—still radiates charm. Crafted from warm-toned terracotta with organic nuances and resting upon a marble pedestal, the piece emerged from the legendary Susse Frères foundry in Paris during the height of the *Belle Époque*. In this face—defined by stylized features and a geometric hairstyle—Herbemont captures the pulse of an era devoted to pleasure, art, and stylistic sophistication. The young woman’s restrained, sidelong smile hints at a refined playfulness; she is a true charmer, transcending the realm of mere figurative portraiture to become the embodiment of an almost feline poise.
The treatment of form reveals a masterful virtuosity, marking a transition toward the modernity of Art Déco. The clean, striated lines of her hair—sculpted with a geometric precision that evokes both classical restraint and the lighthearted spirit of the Roaring Twenties—contrast beautifully with the delicate texture of her skin and the subtle definition of her cheekbones. In the slight tilt of her neck and the elegance of her stylized ears, one senses a self-aware hedonism—a blend of pastoral innocence and urban boldness that evokes the echoes of theatrical comedy, private Parisian soirées, and the carefree verses of an inimitable era.
- Provenance: Private collection
- Measurements: 43 x 13 x 13 cm
- Good condition, with minor wear.
- This piece will be packaged using specialized technical packaging and a high-security shipping process to ensure prompt delivery in optimal condition.
