Debut Bronze Sculpture Hurdy Gurdy Player

A bronze sculpture has a signature plate engraved "Joueur de Vielle, par Debut, Prix de Rome," or "The Hurdy-gurdy Player by Debut, Prize of Rome" winner.

The original dark chocolate patina is beautiful with only slight wear in spots. There is also a foundry stamp on the base, see photo.

The hurdy-gurdy is a sort of violin or fiddle played not with a bow, but by cranking a wheel with rosin against the strings, often accompanied with drone strings for the bass register. A very popular folk instrument in the Renaissance, it figured prominently in French and Hungarian folk music. The player is dancing, and has torn leggings and a jaunty feather in his cap.

This work of art dates from about 1900, and is after Jean Didier Debut (1824-93), a noted French sculptor. His son, Marcel Debut (1865-1933), also achieved fame as a sculptor during the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods.

Height of this charming artwork is 19 1 /2" tall.

Item # B-S2369