Equestrian portrait of Louis XIV in alabaster... Lot 43

Equestrian portrait of Louis XIV in alabaster sculpted in the round. He is dressed in armor bearing the large pectoral cross of the Order of the Holy Spirit, he holds the staff and wears the sash of command, the horse reared. The base of the pedestal is decorated with a bishop's coat of arms, with a crenellated tower, with a crenellated turret opening onto a terrace. With the cordelière with six tassels. Probably France, end of the XVIIth century Height : 66 cm - Width : 37 cm Depth : 15 cm (Small missing parts, notably the commanding staff and the base, small restorations) This figure represents the monarch, easily recognizable by the large pectoral cross of the Order of the Holy Spirit in a position that recalls the statue that Bernini had made. This one, finally placed at the end of the Swiss water room in Versailles, had been modified to become Marcus Curtius, allegory of the classical hero who sacrifices himself for the salvation of his people.