Discussion- French Buffet- Abe Lincoln ?

This French walnut buffet has just come up for auction. What caught my eye was the ambitious pediment, with what the auction house describes as a bust of Abe Lincoln. As a student of material culture, I am looking for opinions on what ole Abe could possibly be doing up there? Or is it even him? Perusing French opinion during and after the Civil War, I could not see any consensus on him being considered a hero, martyr or role model in any way, except perhaps as a cautionary tale for their own political issues. Looking forward to your speculations!
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/84795508_french-neo-classical-buffet-in-walnut

 

Just another idiotic attribution by an auctioneer IMO

 

Neo-classical? Abraham Lincoln? One would expect a tad more scholarship.

Debora

 

Not even close to Abe.

 

It looks like some bearded guy Hey Blinkin!

Regardless of who it is, you're right about the ambitious pediment, and the price is probably a fair one.

 

Sure is a lot of damage.
Are we sure it is French?

Looks more like one of the Generals from that era. Almost looks like epaulets on the shoulders.

 

"Pastiche" is always a safe fall-back!

 

The more I learn, the less sure I am of anything. In this case, the attribution is by the auction house.

 

If I were interested in it I'd ask what is says on the base along the front of the bust. Can't make it out but it sure looks like it might say something.

Is it Lincoln? Dunno but there sure are a lot of busts of Lincoln that don't look much like we think he looked. I'm thinking maybe someone put their favorite bust in the alcove.

Anyway, some versions of Abe.

https://www.gettysburgmuseumofhisto...dise/abraham-lincoln-bust-gettysburg-address/

http://abrahamlincolnblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/update-lincoln-collection-to-remain-in.html

 

No, not even close to Lincoln, it's a bearded 19th century man.

 

Guesses auction house put the Lincoln thingy in there to create some BUZZ!
and, it WORKED! as it's posted on here!

 

Well, if we're going to play the game of famous 19th century Frenchmen, here's Jules Verne.

Debora

 

Almost everyone had a beard back then, big hipster ones like in the (pre covid-19) coffee shops today.

 

Just a tad of a generalization? Here are the leading figures in French 19th century literature. Only half are bearded. (Not assuming carved figure related to French literature but a possibililty.)

Debora

 

lol, I'd say Auction house did its job on this one

 

So, I went to the source and asked the horse, and here is the answer that she endorsed...
King Galleries sent you a conversation on May 8, 2020
French Neo-classical buffet in walnut, lot#0149
Subject: Lot 0149: French Neo-classical buffet in walnut
"Hi,
Thank you for your interest and inquiry. Good eyes! The bust is marked in French "Abolition d'esclavage 1865" which translates to Abolition of Slavery 1865. I have uploaded a few additional images giving a much closer look at the bust. The bust does remove from the niche so the 2nd picture is in hand.
Please let me know if you have any other questions or would like any additional images.
Thank you,
Susan Brown
King Galleries"

So, my guess is that the buffet's alcove either was designed to be vacant ( to add your own whatnot), or there was an original decorative element that has gone missing. The gallery has been so gracious, I don't dare ask them to climb up there and look for a dowel hole, especially since I'm not planning on bidding. In any case, it's Lincoln, or so the artist intended.

 

LOL, OK, I apologize! NO BUZZ then!
Still, a poor image of old Abe in my view, that sculptor didn't exactly capture him.

Agrees! they were on this like a bad habit, good sales team there.

 

Truly! If only all auction houses would be so diligent. I had one straight-out lie to me on a "Mt. Fuji" desk condition inquiry! How can they possibly stay in business with that attitude?