After Francois-Christophe-Armand Toussaint, a large pair of gilt and patinated bronze figural torcheres: Esclave Indien and Esclave Indienne

Toussaint studied under David D'Angers at the ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris following his admission in 1827 at the age of 21. A skilled sculptor, he received the Grand Prix de Rome four years later with a figure titled Canapee foudroye sous les murs de thebes. He received the medailles de la Legion d'Honneur in 1852, most probably as a result of the present pendant model that the French state comissioned on February 23, 1850 for the Palais de L'Elysee. Both figures were exhibited in bronze at the Salon in 1850-1851 under the no. 3599; the plaster model was exhibited three years earlier under the no. 2162. With this impressive pendant, Toussaint demonstrates his remarkable vision and talent, clearly a tour-de-force of far Eastern elegance and accuracy