Orientalist Sculpture By Villanis

Emmanuel Villanis (1858–1914) – Orientalist Young Woman with Tambourine – Polychrome sculpture on a four-legged base, late 19th century. This important Orientalist sculpture depicts a young woman dressed in oriental style, richly draped, leaning casually against a sculpted pillar, holding a tambourine. The elegant and relaxed attitude, the expressive smile, and the controlled sensuality of the pose are characteristic of the Orientalist aesthetic of the late 19th century. This work is attributed to Emmanuel Villanis (1858–1914), an Italian-born sculptor active in France, famous for his allegorical and Orientalist female figures, widely circulated during the Belle Époque. The treatment of the face, the quality of the modeling, and the richness of the polychrome and gilded drapery are entirely representative of his work. The sculpture is presented on a high-quality wooden four-legged base, emphasizing its decorative character and ensuring an elegant presentation. The whole piece reaches a total height of approximately 210 cm, giving the work a remarkable presence.