CHARLES-HENRI-JOSEPH CORDIER | Saïd Abdallah, de la Tribu de Mayac, Royaume de Darfour (Bust of Said Abdalla of the Darfour People)

Overall, the condition of the bronze is good, with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. There is minor tarnishing to the silvering of the face and hair, including around the proper right eye and to the forehead. There is some rubbing to the gilding of the cloak. There are minor nicks and scratches throughout, in particular to the high points of the drapery at the front. The bronze socle is cast separately and plugs are visible to the underside of the bust. The bust is very slightly loose on the socle, but stable. There is minor greening to the drapery at the truncation. The condition of the marble base is very good, with minor chips to the edges. There is some glue residue to the underside of the veined red marble column. There are scratches to the square base at the front. There are some minor chips and abrasions to the edges and corners.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A superb Sudanese turned up at the studio. Within a fortnight I did his bust and sent it to the Salon, feeling quite sure that it would be accepted. Just then the Revolution of 1848 burst out, and the jury was democratically elected. Trembling, I got up my nerve to send in the Sudanese bust anyway, and it was a revelation to the art world. Standing in front of it, Pradier said: "Who did this? Here is a fellow who will be a sculptor!" My teacher [François Rude], who was a member of the jury, stepped forward and said: "My student, Charles Cordier." Some people turned away but this did not interfere with success. Indeed I won an honourable mention.

This was how Cordier remembered the creation of Saïd Abdallah's bust in his memoirs, from his very first exhibition at the Paris Salon of 1848. The vogue for Orientalist subjects was strong, and Cordier went on to create many popular busts and figures in this genre. He also took an interest in European subjects detailing national types and costumes. In 1851 Cordier was given the post of ethnographic sculptor to the Musée d'Histoire Naturelle, which he held for 15 years. During this time he made government sponsored tours of Algeria, Greece, and Egypt. The present bust, with its silvered and coloured patinas, is a particularly fine cast of Cordier's impressive model. 

RELATED LITERATURE
Charles Cordier: l'autre et l'ailleurs, exh. cat. Musée d'Orsay, Paris, 2004, pp. 15-21 and cat. nos. 470-521