Smiling Guardian Angel Of Reims Statue, Antique French Religious Bust Sculpture
ERA: early 20th century, circa 1920's MATERIAL: plaster THEME: Smiling Guardian Angel Of Reims ORIGIN: France DIMENSIONS: Height: 12 5/8" (32cm) / Width: 5 1/8" (13cm) / Length: 12 1/4" (31cm)
A rare French antique statue depicting the famous smiling guardian angel of Reims. Cast from plaster, the angelic sculpture dates to the early 20th century. This bust is a reproduction of the original statue, “L'Ange au Sourire” (The Smiling Angel), on the facade of Reims Cathedral, dating from the 13th century. On September 19, 1914, while the Germans were bombarding Reims, a fire ravaged the cathedral, and a flaming beam decapitated him. After falling more than four meters, the smiling head shattered into pieces. After the war, a cast made from pre-war photos and saved pieces was used to reconstitute the Smiling Angel, which was restored to its rightful place on the cathedral portal on February 13, 1926, becoming the emblem of the city of Reims.
CONDITION: Overall good condition with some normal signs of ages and two small chips on the hair. Please take a close look at the photos, they are an integral part of the description.
