statue of a woman laying on her stomach on a wooden base
MILLON

277 - Gaston HAUCHECORNE (1871–1932) Malaysian sailor at the helm …
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Estimate €500 - €700
Sale commission
Description
Gaston HAUCHECORNE (1871–1932) Malaysian sailor at the helm Terracotta with patina Signed on the base H: 32, W: 68, D: 20 cm Numbered on the back Cracks, minor repairs Accompanied by a rectangular carved wooden plinth H: 5, W: 71, D: 21 cm Provenance: Collection in Tours belonging to Mr Ch. Man. The collection presented here, assembled over a period of some fifteen years, is undoubtedly the most significant French collection of sculptures by Gaston Hauchecorne. Born in 1880, he was a sculptor, painter, interpreter, professor in Beijing and director of the French consulate in Chongqing, where his brother was himself consul. Gaston Hauchecorne, in addition to a period of work in France, specialised – out of personal preference – in sculpting Asian busts of great expressive power. His work reflects ethnographic research, tinged with a touch of humour. Similarly, this remarkable expressiveness led the collector to favour terracotta works over bronzes, as the rendering of facial expressions is far superior thanks to the clarity of the terracotta. What particularly appeals to Gaston Hauchecorne in Asian faces is the rendering of facial emotions: amusement, meditation, determination, camaraderie, filial love, laughter, deep thought… Hauchecorne strives to convey volume and authenticity through the scenes he depicts: Malay sailors at the rail or at the helm, Chinese priests and calligraphers, a grandmother surrounded by her grandchildren, an elderly couple. Condition of the sculptures: the collector has carried out minor restoration work or simple cleaning where this was deemed aesthetically necessary. Despite the relative fragility of terracotta, the sculptures are therefore in very good overall condition. A number of them are further enhanced by a bespoke display stand made of dark wood panelling. All the sculptures are signed on their upper part, on the left in the vast majority of cases. Among the works on display, some are extremely rare on the market, including an exceptional set of four figures set against the natural backdrop of a green wall. On his return to France around 1920, Gaston Hauchecorne exhibited at the Colonial Exhibition in Marseille and soon went on to exhibit at the Salon des Artistes Français, as well as at the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts. Further information on Gaston Hauchecorne can be found in the Catalogue Collectif des Bibliothèques des Musées Nationaux (CCBMN).
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About the sale Interiors & Characters – Behind Closed Doors
Auction location
Auction time 07/10/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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