Antique Wax Sculpture Reproduction after “Le Baiser”

An antique hard wax neoclassical bust dating to circa 1880–1910, inspired by the romantic sculptural tradition often associated with Jean-Antoine Houdon.

This expressive fragment represents the academic wax study models that were highly popular at the turn of the 19th and early 20th century. Hard wax was prized for its subtle translucency and marble-like warmth, making it a favored material for art academies, collectors, and Grand Tour enthusiasts.

A small-scale reproduction after “Le Baiser” (The Kiss) by Jean-Antoine Houdon.
Houdon was a French Neoclassical sculptor of the late 18th century. “Le Baiser” belongs to the Neoclassical tradition. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries (circa 1880–1910), reproductions of celebrated classical works like this were widely produced in materials such as plaster and hard wax for:
• Art academies (as study models)
• Grand Tour souvenirs
• Private collectors
• Cabinets of curiosities.
The sculpture is presented as a fragment — one head is missing — giving it a poetic, timeworn character reminiscent of classical ruins. Rather than detracting, this lends the piece an evocative, museum-style presence.

Mounted on a dark base, it becomes a sculptural statement object.

Measurements:
Height: 15 cm
Width: 12 cm

Condition:
Antique condition with age-related wear. One head missing and minor losses consistent with age. The base shows small dents. Structurally stable and visually striking.

Perfect for dark academia interiors, library or study styling, Parisian or old-world decor, romantic bedroom vignette, art studio inspiration, or cabinet of curiosities display. A meaningful gift for art historians, sculpture collectors, architecture or fine art students, anniversary, or romantic symbolism, or housewarming for a design-focused home.

A rare and evocative antique object that balances classical elegance with the beauty of imperfection.