An important and rare French Art Nouveau gilt-bronze inkwell "L’idee, Allegrie sur un Rocher” (The Idea, Allegory upon a Rock)” by François-Raoul Larche decorated with a nude woman resting a top a rock gazing outward. The sculpture is signed, "Raoul Larche" and stamped with foundry mark "Siot Paris"
circa 1900
François-Raoul Larche was a French Art Nouveau sculptor who was one of several artists inspired by the dancer Loie Fuller; one of his best-known sculptural bronze lamp depicts Loie Fuller dancing with part of her drapery billowing above and behind her head like a flame. However his smaller pieces - humidors, lamps, goblets, ashtrays, vases and center pieces were recreated in pewter and bronze by Siot-Decauville. These sculptures included a wide range of subjects from mythological figures, religious figures, and peasant girls.