Falconet is known as sculpter who was invited to Russia by Catherine The Great in September 1766. At St Peterburg he executed a colossal statue of Peter The Great in bronze, known as Bronze Horzeman.
Introduced bronze statue was inspired by the Bather, painted in1725 by Francois Lemoyne, and popular by engravings.
The sculptor has portrayed the moment just before the young girl's bath, as she puts her foot tentatively forward to test the temperature of the water.
Falconet captures the moment when a young girl becomes a women, thereby defining a new feminine aesthetic - long slender body, narrow hips, sloping shoulder, and small breast - which was to impregnate his future work and influence his contemporaries. The girls head is small and her oval face forms a triangle. Her hairstyle was inspred by antiquity; smooth on top, with a cetral parting.
All instruments are stamped with Compass/Germany. Instruments are clean and very sharp. This set appears to have been little-used from the complete lack of wear and tear on the inlay mold holding the instruments as well as the velvet covering and outer case. The faux leather is in excellent condition with one 'ding' on lower left corner. Snaps are like new. Still has the polishing rag marked ComPass Precision Instruments "Germany".
Upper right hand corner of front flap seems to read "807" which I assume was the model stamp. Somewhat faint.
Plastic capsule holding extra leads is full and untouched as is the capsule of extra point tips, screws and thumbscrews. Two mechanical pencils (assume silver plated or painted)show some peeling. Small rust spots appear on the three compass "rings" (see photo).
I do not know the age of this kit, I'm assuming 40's or later. All in all, VERY CLEAN!
This is a two drawers chest with one middle shelf manufactured by James Phillips & Sons Union Street Bristol, England. It was given to me by my Grandparents who bought the item shortly after they were married in 1923.
