Thursday 10 July 2025

Lot 54

After Jean-Antoine Houdon, French, 1741-1828, a French bronze bust of Voltaire, late 19th...

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Lot 54

After Jean-Antoine Houdon, French, 1741-1828, a French bronze bust of Voltaire, late 19th...

Price Realised: £1,050

Estimate: £800 - £1,200

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Price realised is hammer price plus fees (31.2% Buyers Premium inclusive of VAT).

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Lot 54

Description

After Jean-Antoine Houdon, French, 1741-1828, a French bronze bust of Voltaire, late 19th century, later mounted on limestone plinth, the bust - 35cm high; 53cm high overall

Note: In March 1778, just two months before his death, the famed philosopher Francois-Marie Arouet Voltaire agreed to sit for Houdon. The resulting bust, shows Voltaire in the antique style, without a wig or any other costume, and was considered to be so true to life that people flocked to the sculptor's studio to marvel at the likeness. The present lots shows Voltaire in his simplest form, in a highly naturalistic depiction that reveals the humanity of the man without the distraction of court dress.  Houdon was particularly praised for his ability to give the eyes a lively quality by manipulating light and shadow in the deep carving of the pupils.

Buyer's Premium

The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 26% up to £20,000 (31.2% inclusive of VAT), 25% from £20,001 - £500,000 (30% inclusive of VAT), 20% from £500,001 thereafter (24% inclusive of VAT). The premium price is subject to VAT at the standard rate.

VAT
VAT is not charged on the hammer price unless it is stated that there is 'VAT applicable on the hammer price at the end of the description. Buyer's premium is subject to VAT.
(ARR) - ARTIST'S RESALE RIGHT

Qualifying living artists and the descendants of artists deceased within the last 70 years are entitled to receive a re-sale royalty each time their work is bought through an auction house or art market professional.

It applies to lots with hammer value over £1,000 as follows:
0 to £50,000 - 4%
£50,000.01 to £200,000 - 3%
£200,000.01 to £350,000 - 1%
£350,000.01 to £500,000 - 0.5%
Exceeding £500,000 - 0.25%
ARR is capped at £12,500

Please note ARR is calculated in euros. Auctioneers will apply current exchange rates.

Export of goods

Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain whether an export licence is required before bidding. Export licences are issued by Arts Council England and application forms can be obtained from its Export Licensing Unit. Details can be found on the ACE website www.artscouncil.org.uk or by phoning ACE on 020 7973 5188. The need for import licences varies from country to country and you should acquaint yourself with all relevant local requirements and provisions before bidding. The refusal of any such licences shall not permit the cancelling of any sale nor allow any delay in making full payment for the lot.

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