This pair of 19th century plaster sculptures representing Roman emperors or dignitaries, were specifically used to prepare molds in the foundry for bronze casting.

In this process, the sculptor provides the foundry with a plaster model, which serves as the prototype for casting one or more final bronze pieces. Two principal techniques are used in bronze casting: lost-wax casting and sand casting. In the lost-wax method, a wax replica of the plaster model is first created before the metal is poured, capturing the finest details of the original. Plaster models like this were often segmented to allow for the precise reproduction of intricate details in bronze, and pencil marks, still visible on the surface, provide insight into the precise measurements and planning involved in the mold-making process.

The present pieces exemplify the artistic and technical mastery required to transform plaster into a finely detailed bronze sculpture. While certain areas, such as the hands, are fragile, and the sword is missing, this plaster models remain significant artifacts of the bronze-making process, making them ideal decorative pieces for an artist’s studio or a collector’s study.