Italian antique marble bust of Madame Recamier. Superbly carved white statuary Carrera marble head and bust of the famous Madame Recamier. A socialite, Madame Recamier was considered by many as the most beautiful and charming women of her time. She was born in Lyon, France, and was known as Juliette, she rose to become one of France`s most famous socialites, famous for her manners, conversation, her kind disposition and of course her looks, and it was considered a great honour to be invited to her salon. The most distinguished and well educated men of the day frequented her house, and from the early days of the French consulate to almost the end of the July Monarchy her salon in Paris was one of the chief resorts of literary and political society, whose visitors included the likes of, Lucien Bonaparte, Moreau, Bernadotte, La Harpe, and Benjamin Constant. Extremely heavy and dense marble with superb finish. Excellent detail, the face is quite outstanding. Late 19th Century, after the model by Joseph Chinard (1756-1813) Italian circa 1880 62cm High