Susse Frères - Charles Cumberworth (1811-1852) - Sculpture, De dochter van de farao vindt Mozes - 40 cm - Bronze

Beautiful patinated bronze sculpture depicting the moment when Moses is found in his wicker basket by the daughter of the Pharaoh and her maid. Designed by the French sculptor Charles Cumberworth (1811-1952).

This iconic scene refers to the biblical story from Exodus in which Moses's mother (Jochebed) placed her baby in a watertight, reed basket on the Nile River to save him from the decree of the Egyptian Pharaoh to kill all Hebrew boys; the basket was found by the Pharaoh's daughter, who adopted the child and named him Moses.

The name Moses (or Musa) has a dual origin: the Hebrew part means 'drawn out of the water' (referring to his rescue from the Nile), while the Egyptian origin means 'son of' or 'child', as in names like Ramses (Son of Ra). The name thus connects his Hebrew heritage and rescue with his upbringing at the Egyptian court. The reason for

Since the population growth among the Israelites increased much faster than among the Egyptians, the Pharaoh decided to kill all the firstborn Israelite boys. He feared that they would join the enemy in a war against Egypt and thus threaten his power.

Later in the life of Moses, he is the one who, on God's command, calls down nine plagues upon the Egyptians to force Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Only with the tenth plague, the death of all firstborn, did Pharaoh bow his knees. A repetition of the punishment previously pronounced by Pharaoh over the Israelites.

Cumberworth was a student of Jean-Jacques Pradier at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris (1829), and there he began designing various bronze objects, such as vases, clocks, and candelabras. He exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1833 to 1848.

His most famous sculptures are Self-Love (Musée des Beaux-Arts de La Rochelle), Lesbia and her Muse (Paris, Musée du Louvre), and Paul and Virginia (1851). The sculpture being offered here at auction has only been on the market twice in the past ten years (as far as I could find). In any case, a quite rare piece.

Excellent condition! And very heavy, 15 kilograms!

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