A beautifully carved miniature marble bust depicting a young woman with her head gently lowered and her hair arranged in soft, sculptural waves.
This signed piece is attributed to German sculptor Fritz Kochendörfer (1871–1942), whose workshop produced finely detailed marble and alabaster sculptures around the turn of the 20th century.
The attribution is supported by similarities to documented Kochendörfer works, including the sculptural style, incised signature, and numbering on the reverse. A specialist in European sculpture at Sotheby's independently suggested a late 19th- or early 20th-century date and identified a closely comparable work by Kochendörfer.
Measurements
Height: 6½"
Base width: 2⅞"
Base depth: 2¼"
Why I Love It
Beautifully detailed hair and delicate, downward-facing expression
Carved from pale alabaster and marble with natural tonal variation
Signed, with additional incised markings on the reverse
Petite scale makes it especially appealing for display in a cabinet, on a bookshelf, or beneath a glass cloche
A compelling example of European sculpture from around 1900
Condition
Antique condition with age-related coloration and surface wear
Some discoloration visible within the carved details, especially around the eyes and in the folds of her braids
Incised signature and reverse markings show wear and are difficult to read in their entirety
Underside has a recessed area and several drilled holes; their original purpose has not been established
Please examine all photographs carefully as part of the condition description
Attribution note: Attributed to Fritz Kochendörfer based on documented comparisons. The attribution has not been formally authenticated.
