North Italian Blackamoor Figure

myminifactory

This is one of two highly prized Blackamoor figures set to be auctioned off at The Christie's Noble & Private Collections sale (26th April 2017). Dating back to the second half of the 19th Century.\r\nExoticized depictions of Blackamoor figures, typically African males but sometimes other non-European races, were prominently featured in European art during the Early Modern period. They can be found in various mediums, often holding a tray or container, which served as a practical utensil. These figurines appear in jewelry, armorial designs and decorative pieces. Often used to depict symbolic servants, large examples about half-size were placed on either sides of doorways, just like real footmen might stand. Typically crafted from cheaper materials such as painted wood or plaster.