Pair of boxwood busts - France 17th century

This small pair of boxwood busts, dating from the 17th century, represents Henri IV, King of France (1589-1610), and Marie de Médicis, Queen of France (1600-1610).
Both busts stand on octagonal pedestals, of which that of Henri IV is slightly broken. Cut at the waist, the busts are elegantly draped.
Marie de Médicis is carefully coiffed. Her hair, pulled back, is curled in front to reveal her ears and forehead. Her eyes are deep-set, and her fine eyebrows are rendered by a line. Her prominent nose contrasts with her delicate mouth, which reveals a slight smile. Her neck is concealed by an imposing fraise, a luxurious court garment that was banned by her son, Louis XIII. The queen is richly adorned: she wears long earrings and a necklace, whose massive chain ends in an intricate star-shaped pendant bearing a four-petal flower.
As for Henri IV, his hair, pulled back, falls back in curls, hiding his lobes. His forehead is wrinkled, his thick eyebrows emphasize his large, wide-set eyes and accentuate the protuberance of his nose. He wears a voluminous beard and a long moustache, surrounding his thin mouth. He also wears a strawberry, lighter than his wife's, lined, reminiscent of the typical strawberries of the late reign of Henri III. The king is wearing a partially decorated cuirass.
In this way, the portraits of the two sovereigns are marked by a striking realism, accentuated by the sculptor's meticulous workmanship and attention to detail.

( Dimensions : Henri IV, H = 11 cm ; Marie de Médicis, H = 9 cm )