Woman with Shell

A stunning depiction of a nearly life-sized woman seated on a rocky ledge, carrying a shell on her shoulder that serves as a waterspout.

This artwork was produced by the renowned art foundry J. J. Ducel. Casts of the same model can be found in several public locations, including the Botanical Garden in Rio de Janeiro, the Oregon House Apollo in the USA, and Patras in Greece.

J. J. Ducel, a purveyor of fine cast-iron ornaments, was already supplying foundries throughout Paris from the Pas-de-Calais region by 1810. In 1878, the factory was sold to the Fonderie de la Haute-Marne, and all of Ducel’s models were subsequently acquired by the Val d'Osne foundry. Even before the company’s sale, critics at the 1867 Paris World’s Fair hailed Ducel as the leading producer of cast-iron works, crediting him with the charm and elegance that graced so many Parisian streets.

The sculptor Pierre Loison (1816–1886) grew up in Mer, south of Paris. His talent for woodcarving was discovered by the local priest, who arranged a scholarship for him at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. There, Loison rose to the highest ranks of his profession and won several prestigious awards. His works are now held in museums and displayed in public spaces across various cities.