Statuette "Girl with a hurdy-gurdy"

Celebrate the captivating artistic genius Louis-Auguste Moreau (1855-1919), lauded French sculptor and renowned master of interior and genre sculpture, with our unique Viennese Bronze collectibles. Moreau makes his mark through his exquisite models. Known for his alliances with manufacturing entities of Viennese Bronze, Moreau's creations stand out, embodying an unparalleled sophistication.

The origins of these collectibles date back to the 1820s, conceived by the industrious hands of German peasants from Hesse. By transforming humble wood into attractive brooms, the peasants eluded the grips of poverty. Their ingenious marketing strategy of enlisting girls to dance to the rustic rhythms of the hurdy-gurdy lifted their sales remarkably. This spark of creative marketing evolved into a booming business for organ grinder pimps, who sky-rocketed their sales by promising the care and fair share earnings of these Hurdy-Gurdy girls from destitute families whilst journeying through European cities.

The Hurdy-Gurdy phenomenon eventually swept across England, reverberating even to the distant shores of America, Australia, and Russia. Looking back to the 1870s, the wanderlust spirit of "daughters from the sunny shores of the Oder, Elbe, and Rhine" was celebrated as they served as cheerful escorts for cowboys and miners, spurring on drink sales in saloons. Their colorful lives were not always veiled by prostitution; rather, some could attribute their downfall to the relentless cycle of poverty, drugs, alcohol, and guilt.

Entering the transition of the 19th to 20th century, these compelling human narratives found their way into the heart of the Austrian art industry – the creation of the Viennese Bronze. Embracing original collectors worldwide, the Viennese Bronze encapsulates an enchanting array of harmonic hues exhibited by its miniature sculptural aesthetics. These vibrant collectibles, produced by skilled craftsmen of the time, offer an intriguing glimpse of history, infusing your collection with richness and depth.