A RARE PAIR OF POLYCHROME CAST IRON BLACKAMOOR FIGURES MID 19TH CENTURY, PROBABLY CAST BY VAL D'OSNE AFTER MATHURIN MOREAU Depicting 'Jongleur' and 'Charmeur de serpents', refreshed polychrome decorated cast iron on later ribbed white marble pedestal bases, apparently unmarked 177cm high overall, figures 135.5cm high The present pair of figures are based on engravings of figures published by the Mathurin Moreau. As their trade catalogues reveal, Moreau's oeuvre was extensively reproduced by the Val D'OSNE foundry during the latter quarter of the 19th century. Another pair of these torchères, with polychrome decoration, sold Christie's London, 12 December 1996, lot 146 (£57,500).