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ID #SA1233423
FOR SALE
£1,480
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C. 1890, Carved Wood, Fully Articulated, (43cm) Artist's Lay Figure (French)
For sale by White Space Antiques
for sale €1,732     $1,880
£1,480
White Space Antiques

White Space Antiques

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C. 1890, Carved Wood, Fully Articulated, (43cm) Artist's Lay Figure (French)

19th century
Description

Circa 1890, Carved Wood, Fully Articulated, Artists Lay Figure (French).

Beautifully crafted, articulated artist’s French mannequin lay figure made from pine wood, sculpted in a very realistic way, the face is expressive and posed; dating from circa 1880-1900.

CONDITION:

Excellent condition. All joints free-moving. No damage.

WEBSITE:

For more information or more detailed images, please, visit our website:

https://www.WhiteSpaceAntiques.com

Physical Dimensions
Height
43cm (16.93")
Declaration

White Space Antiques has dated this French Wooden Lay Figure to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1233423
Description
Circa 1890, Carved Wood, Fully Articulated, Artists Lay Figure (French).
“
Beautifully crafted, articulated artist’s French mannequin lay figure made from pine wood, sculpted in a very realistic way, the face is expressive and posed; dating from circa 1880-1900.
White Space Antiques

CONDITION:

Excellent condition. All joints free-moving. No damage.

WEBSITE:

For more information or more detailed images, please, visit our website:

https://www.WhiteSpaceAntiques.com

Height
43cm (16.93")
Date of Manufacture

White Space Antiques has dated this French Wooden Lay Figure to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1233423
White Space Antiques
White Space Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2026

Curate your white space

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the White Space Antiques Profile Page

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A French carved wood artist lay figure from circa 1890 with fully articulated limbs and a warm brown polished finish shown in a seated posture.
1 / 6
Archive I A French carved wood artist lay figure from circa 1890 with fully articulated limbs and a warm brown polished finish shown in a seated posture.

C. 1890, Carved Wood, Fully Articulated, (43cm) Artist's Lay Figure (French)

Archive II A French carved wood artist lay figure from circa 1890 with fully articulated limbs and a warm brown polished finish shown in a seated posture. View II
Archive III A French carved wood artist lay figure from circa 1890 with fully articulated limbs and a warm brown polished finish shown in a seated posture. View III
Archive IV A French carved wood artist lay figure from circa 1890 with fully articulated limbs and a warm brown polished finish shown in a seated posture. View IV
Archive V A French carved wood artist lay figure from circa 1890 with fully articulated limbs and a warm brown polished finish shown in a seated posture. View V
Archive VI A French carved wood artist lay figure from circa 1890 with fully articulated limbs and a warm brown polished finish shown in a seated posture. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
White Space Antiques

White Space Antiques
Telephone 07760 835542
Location
Westbury
Wiltshire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/whitespace
Verified Since Feb 2026
Items For Sale 74
Items Sold 4
White Space Antiques
White Space Antiques
Verified Since Feb 2026
View Dealer Info
Location: Westbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/whitespace
Verified
Feb 2026
For Sale
74
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A French carved wood artist lay figure from circa 1890 with fully articulated limbs and a warm brown polished finish shown in a seated posture.
C. 1890, Carved Wood, Fully Articulated, (43cm) Artist's Lay Figure (French)
Ref: SA1233423
A French carved wood artist lay figure from circa 1890 with fully articulated limbs and a warm brown polished finish shown in a seated posture.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectArtist Lay Figure
  • Period19th century
  • StyleFrench, 19th Century
  • MaterialCarved Wood
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsArticulated ball joints, carved facial features, segmented torso, hand-carved digits
  • SizeH 43 cm (17 in)

This late 19th-century French artist lay figure originates from circa 1890 and takes the form of a seated human mannequin carved entirely from pine wood. The object possesses a polished warm brown timber finish and features an expressive carved face, a segmented torso, and fully articulated limbs joined by visible rounded sockets. Detailed hand-carved digits define the hands and feet, while the smooth surface exhibits subtle natural grain variations throughout. Measuring 43 cm high, the sculpture functions as a decorative display piece suited for placement on a bookshelf within a gentleman's library or study setting. In home interiors today, this figurative woodwork item integrates easily into tabletop displays, reading rooms, or desk surfaces alongside books and personal collections. The articulated joints allow the limbs to hold various poses, adding visual interest to a shelf or display cabinet. The neutral wood tones complement traditional and eclectic interior styles without dominating the surrounding space.

FAQs

An artist lay figure is a fully jointed wooden mannequin constructed to assist artists with anatomical proportions, foreshortening, and drapery studies. Originating in the Renaissance, these articulated models became widely produced in France during the nineteenth century for studio work.

Nineteenth-century lay figures were sculpted from dense hardwoods such as beech, walnut, or boxwood. Craftspeople integrated internal or external ball-and-socket joints, metal pins, and wooden pegs to allow full range of movement while maintaining rigid postures.

Authentic period lay figures exhibit hand-carved facial features, subtle tool marks, and age-appropriate wood shrinkage around the joints. Original patination, iron or brass joinery, and natural surface wear around friction points further confirm historical authenticity.

An artist lay figure functions as a intriguing sculptural object on a bookshelf, desk, or sideboard. Positioned alongside leather-bound volumes, brass instruments, or framed sketches, it creates a refined cabinet-of-curiosities aesthetic.

Maintain wooden figures in stable humidity conditions away from direct sunlight and heat radiators to prevent wood splitting. Dust gently with a soft dry brush, and apply clear beeswax polish sparingly to protect the woods historic patina.
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