A French Terracotta Group of Leda and the Swan Henri Philippe Joseph Lemaire (French, 1798-1880), 19th century

Incised 'Lemaire.'

(H: 10 1/4, W: 16, D: 10 in.)

Provenance

The Charles J. McManus Jr. Collection.
Thence by descent.

Charles J. McManus Jr. (1922-2011) was noted interior designer and a passionate collector of antiques with a particular interest in the unusual and unexpected. As an interior designer, McManus worked on several important commissions in his birthplace of Philadelphia, including the Philadelphia Club and the Racquet Club of Philadelphia. He acquired pieces for his own collection during his extensive travels throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean, where he owned a former sugar plantation in Antigua. His style of entertainment was widely admired as he hosted elaborate parties in his home, the former French Consulate in Philadelphia. The New York Times Magazine detailed one such cocktail party, and McManus described his goal for his collection as: “creating a mood, a feeling of warmth and otherworldliness,” for others to enjoy.

Three old repairs: two to the swan's neck, one to base. The surface generally nice, rubbed in some areas, darkened in others, overall contributes to attractive aged appearance. Some minor chips and losses, primarily to foliage behind Leda.