Pair of “Bons sauvages” Derby figurines from the second half of the 18th ce

DERBY,

Pair of soft porcelain figurines representing a black man and woman in polychrome oriental costumes

Second half of 18th century circa 1770-1775
Height 30 cm

A similar model, entitled Pair of Moors, is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Made circa 1770-1775.

The two figures, coiffed with feathers, embody an exotic, idealized vision of princely or official figures. This representation, rare for its time, contrasts with the usual image of black figures often confined to servile roles. A possible confusion between African and Amerindian iconography is suggested by the stylization of hairstyles.

Initially designed to adorn royal tables as a replacement for sugar or wax figurines, porcelain statuettes represented allegorical or dynastic themes. From the 1760s onwards, decorated with foliage known as bocages, they left the tables for the fireplaces.