This extraordinary and monumental cast-iron sculpture was likely specially commissioned to the Fonderies d'Art du Val d'Osne for an important public or private collection. Designed by celebrated Parisian sculptor Mathurin Moreau, the striking work takes the form of a beautiful young maiden clad in classical robes with an amphora gracefully held aloft in one hand. The work displays a remarkable level of detail considering its iron casting, including a wreath of laurel leaves atop the woman's head and a stunning necklace adorning her neck.
Due to its large size and subject matter, the remarkable work would most probably have been exhibited in a public or private fountain, garden, estate or hotel. French cast-iron sculptures such as this one were historically preferred over bronze for outdoor decorations due to their resistance to more extreme weather conditions. Similar statues cast by Val d'Osne can be found decorating public buildings and parks worldwide, and particularly in the United States and France.
The design for this statue is reproduced in the catalog of the Fonderies du Val d'Osne as Jeune fille, No. 245, plate 595.
The base is mounted with a plaque reading "Fonderies du Val d'Osne / 58 BD Voltaire, Paris"
Established in 1835 by the inventor of ornamental cast iron, Jean Pierre Victor André, the Fonderies d'Art du Val d'Osne were world renowned for their remarkable architectural designs and decorative cast iron works of art for nearly 150 years. Beginning in 1851, the firm participated in numerous international exhibitions, earning much critical acclaim throughout the years. Celebrated sculptors including Mathurin Moreau, Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, and James Pradier designed numerous works exclusively for the famed firm, cementing their place among the finest in the industry. While today the works of the Fonderies d'Art du Val d'Osne can be seen in important collections worldwide, the most visible pieces cast by the firm are the distinctive Art Nouveau Parisian subway entrances designed by Hector Guimard.