ART NOUVEAU RELIEF ENTITLED
"VERS L'ENTENTE" BY BELGIAN ARTIST
ISIDORE DE RUDDER 1855-1947.
(SIGNED IN THE PLATE ON THE LEFT)
IT MEASURES APPROXIMATELY 25CM X 29CM.
I PRESUME THE PIECE WAS MADE IN REFERENCE TO THE FIRST WORLD WAR.
THE IMAGE SHOWS A NUDE WOMAN PERHAPS REPRESENTING JUSTICE POINTING TOWARDS THE SLOGAN "VERS L'ENTENTE". TOWARDS AGREEMENT/ AN UNDERSTANDING.
AS WELL AS BEING A SCULPTOR HE MADE BIG CERAMIC PIECES FOR BOCH NOW EXHIBITED IN THE PETIT PALAIS IN PARIS.
EXAMPLES OF HIS WORK ARE ALSO HELD BY THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM.
I THINK THE MATERIAL IS PLASTER WITH A POLISHED FINISH BUT PERHAPS IT WAS MADE BY A CERAMIC WORKSHOP.
ON THE BACK CAN BE READ LES EDOUARD.
THIS I PRESUME IS THE MAKERS NAME.
THERE ARE A FEW LITTLE NICKS TO THE FRONT BUT THEY DO NOT SPOIL THE PLAQUE AT ALL AND ARE NOT SEEN FROM A NORMAL DISTANCE.
THE SAME PIECE IN BRONZE AND COPPER HAVE BEEN SOLD AT CHRISTIES AND DROUOT.