Featured French 19th Century Spelter Sculpture of a Warrior

Hi everybody,

2 months ago I have bought this beautiful French sculpture.
It had a hole in the back, and all the lamp parts were missing.

I have taken some time to restore the sculpture, and it's finally finished.
I'm very happy with the result. I've given it a new glass lampshade (flambeau/flame), shadeholder, and lamp holder.

I've closed up the hole in the back with mallable metal. Painted it step-by-step with metal paint, and finished it with a clear coating, to make it as shiny as the rest of the sculpture.

______
The sculpture itself dates from the 19th century. Made in France.
But what does it respresent? Is it a gladiator? A roman soldier? A french warrior?

I had a sculpture like this before, which represented a 16th century french warrioir.
(According to the comments on this website)

It was pretty much the same style, and I would like to know how to "name" this one.


Thank you very much!
R. Antonis

 

More detailed pictures..

 

Pictures before, and during restoration...

 

Looks great! Originally a newel post lamp, @journeymagazine should see this, he posted a large one a couple days ago that needs help.
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/metal-spelter-44-flapper-girl-statue-lamp.31713/

 

Great abs. And the bicycle shorts are very on trend.

Debora

 

Super!!

 

With the gorgoneion head on his breastplate, it's likely he's meant to be Mars. The torch substitutes for the spear he would normally hold.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_(mythology)#Iconography_and_Symbol

Debora

 

Have been busy elsewhere, so just seeing this. Concur with Debora: god Mars/Ares. Sphinx on helmet; gorgoneion (Medusa head) on aegis; lion on buckler; boots.

 

Hi,
looks WONDERFUL!!!! What did you repair the holes with?
greg

 

JMHO.
post 1918 when France had no pure metals anymore and made régule out of everything that was left behind on the battlefields. no proper alloys but everything into the smelter - and bang there was the régule that was never going to be repaired because nobody knew what was in it.
and you could see how it deterriorated "by the minute".

 

BEAUTIFUL restoration R. Antonis !!! He looks magnificent, in fact he's gorgeous !!, Very nice indeed .. Joy.

 

I did it with modeable/mallable metal. It's often used for closing up holes in exhaust pipes of cars.

Something like this:
https://www.autoschadeshop.nl/index...etaal-kunststof/repair-stick-edelstaal-detail

 

This is the one I've had in the past.

https://veiling.catawiki.nl/kavels/11277587

 

Beautiful sculpture, and a really fantastic job, R. Looks perfect, congratulations!

 

Hi R. Antonis,
Thank you. You did a magnificent repair job!!!
greg

 

Wow for the great repair job you did, and wow for this beautiful guy!!!

 

Thank you all!!

 

Look what I've just found!

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3104717_659-19th-cbronzed-spelter-newel-post-lamp-of-warrior

Probably the exact same one.


Could anybody tell me what NEWEL POST LAMP means?
I come across theNEWEL POST term very often.
Not sure what it means

 

A "newel post" is the large vertical piece at the foot of a run of stairs, to which the handrail is attached as well. In a fancy home, the newel post is often topped by a sculptural piece fitted for lighting. My own great grandparents' home had one, although different from your warrior.