Francois Christophe Armand Toussaint (1806-1862): a large pair of French mid 19th Century gilt and patinated bronze figural torcheres: Esclave Indien and Esclave Indienne, cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892), after the original Toussaint models dated 1850, the male figure wearing a gilt head cloth, hoop earrings, raising his left arm and holding fan in right hand by gilt loin cloth, the female figure with gilt hair and head cloth draping down into skirt below bare breasts, standing beside jewellery casket, both holding light fittings, the urn form bases with goat mask and floral swag designs above shaped fluting, each fitted with nine-branch ormolu candelabra with urn sconces above drip pans and scrolling leaf stems, the male figure signed ''Ad. Toussaint 1850'', both signed ''F. Barbedienne Fondeur'' beside medallion mark; raised on a pair of associated carved stained wood circular stands, decorated with drapery to frieze and cords down swept tapering square legs, terminating in acanthus leaves. Figures 44in. (112cms) high from base to raised hands. Torchere overall approximately 68in. (173cms) base to top of central light fitting (not including faux candle mount). Bases 27in. (69cms) high. NB The original figural torcheres designed by Armand Toussaint, first exhibited in 1847 for a salon in Paris, bronze models commissioned by the French Interior Ministry and were exhibited three years later at the Paris Salon 1850-51 Exhibition (No. 3599) and there after were placed in the Palace de l'Elysee. Both Barbedienne and Graux-Marly owned the rights to the reproduction of these figures and after Toussaint's death both houses signed an agreement to regulate the casting sizes of each model. LITERATURE See Barbedienne Catalogue 1855 and later 1886 (page 62). Previous sales of closely related figures are known, including: Bonhams, London, New Bond Street, Lot 100 on 10th July, 2014; Christies London, King Street, 29th April 2010; and Sothebys, New York, 21st October 2008, Lot 85. See illustration