“TEMPÊTE – THE STORM”

Sailor to the Rescue — After Virgile Morey
Large Nautical Figural Sculpture — 20th Century
DETAILS
Subject: Sailor / maritime rescuer at the bow of a ship
Attribution: After Virgile Morey
Origin of design: French
Date of this casting: 20th century
Material: Patinated cast metal / bronze-effect finish — alloy untested
Height: Approx. 51 cm (20 in)
Width: Approx. 14 cm (5½ in)
Depth: Approx. 16.5 cm (6½ in)
Construction: Hollow cast
Inscription: TEMPÊTE
CONDITION
COLLECTING INTEREST
An impressive large-scale nautical sculpture depicting a sailor standing at the bow of a vessel during a violent storm, leaning forward into the weather while carrying a lifebuoy in preparation for a rescue.

The composition is based upon the dramatic model “Tempête” (The Storm) associated with French sculptor Virgile Morey.

Previously incorrectly described at auction as a miner, closer examination clearly reveals the sculpture's maritime subject. The figure stands upon the deck and bow of a vessel, with a lifebuoy held at his side, while the substantial sculptural base represents the ship driving through large curling waves and turbulent seas.

The title “TEMPÊTE”, meaning storm or tempest in French, further confirms the dramatic maritime theme.

The elaborate base is an integral part of the composition, incorporating the vessel's deck, nautical detailing and deeply modelled rolling waves.

Title: Tempête (The Storm)

Good vintage decorative condition with age-related surface wear, patination, oxidation and marks consistent with age.

The casting displays a somewhat softer level of detail than finer period examples of the Morey model and is therefore conservatively catalogued by Ember as a later 20th-century casting after Virgile Morey, rather than as an original Morey bronze.

The existing aged surface has been retained and has not been aggressively polished or refinished.

A striking display piece particularly suited to collectors of nautical antiques, maritime history, sailors and rescue memorabilia, decorative sculpture and French-inspired bronzes.

At approximately 51 cm high, it has considerable presence and the dramatic storm-tossed ship base makes the sculpture particularly effective when viewed from multiple angles.