I think they're made of spelter, possibly by L and F Moreau. I wouldn't clean them with anything, as it may harm the original finish. An appraiser may be able to help more.

Amazing!!...Those very lamps happen to be listed on Craig's List...
Are you the seller or a would be buyer?
If you still don't know about them, check out the link I have posted.
Linda C

Here is a link that might be useful: lamps

There are also some of these lamps on ebay, both for sale and already sold.

Part of the collection francaise means they were produced by the JB Hirsch foundry in NYC. Would not credit them to the moreau's unless they were marked as such and do not represent what the Moreau brothers were doing at the time. During the 50's to 60's the Hirsch brothers were digging up some of the original molds of statues hidden and buried during the war years. They brought them back and had an exhibition. They made some of the pieces into the 1980's, and many credit them much earlier falsely. These were popular painted white and gold highlights into the 60's, usually sold in pairs as lamps. Some of them have the collection francaise seal or foundry mark on them. Info is from Encyclopedia of Bronzes 1800 to 1930 volume 4. I have a number of lamps from them- orig from about 1927 but made and sold by hirsch up until approx early 80's. They are usually mislabeled as being from the 20's. The one I submitted a photo is prob from the 60's with celluloid face.

Thank you for that information! I have two lamps of the male and female peasants with baskets, and mine are definitely painted - green base, with figures in pale olive green and brown clothing. I don't see any signatures, just the Collection Francaise. Can you tell me about them? Do you think they are pre 1960's? I inherited them from my mother's cousin when she passed away. Thanks for any help! :)

Thank you!

Suzanne, The author of the book who did some research with HB Hirsch before they went out of the business also said instead of reproductions that these are known as "ememplaires" because they were made from the original moulds, which I neglected to mention before.

Have the original moulds survived, I wonder? It's very interesting! Thank you once more! :)

Re: Phil's comment about pre dated ones and painted bodies, I could use some clarification. I've just come across a pair of lamps with the same peasant figures as the painted ones but all cream and gold, apparently made of metal. They both have the seal as described. I know they aren't original Moreau, but I'd love to know their likely age and if they might be of value.

Of interest in history during the early part of the century the Hirsch foundry used to be the Roman Bronze Works in NYC which made a number of famous bronzes for the early part of the twentieth century.

Your statues age is likely mid sixties to 1970's WHEN lamps of all kinds were made in Italy and being exported again to North America. The Hirsch foundry in New York's busiest time in which they added their output. The original molds the Hirsch family had knowledge about their being buried during the first and second world wars, and their whereabouts under the old foundries in Paris. While Italy made chalkware or plaster figures, the Hirsch brothers made theirs in Spelter which these ones were made of. Using the original molds, at the time they either painted them with some colour or had them painted all white which was part of the new style. I have seen these at the antique shows starting in the 1980's, brought in where the dealers knew nothing about them.

Also to note is that the other dealers were selling masses of Italian lamps which were based on these figures also, but tended to be all lumped together with less plaster detail of arms more close to body. Most of theirs were chalkware figures and they made many tables with marble top but chalkware bases. I remember seeing many at garage sales during the late 80's to 90's.

The Hirsch brothers company seems to have been readjusted from what I seen in the 2000's but have heard much less of them so not sure if they are replanning any of these again when they come in style again, whoever may have the molds now. The market became weak for these metal statues and even the old ones made of bronze have lost a lot of value, which was still high during the 80's. Of course they still have value and usually come up occasionally in ebay. Searches on the internet still show these coming up with the dealers giving mostly conjectured information.

Jesus, it would be best if you started a new thread and posted the picture there. Then come back and delete these three comments. With the number of spammers that have been restarting old threads and this one is from 2007 people are less likely to look at your comments.

And I think that most non-english posts here are deleted by the admin staff.

Yes JB Hirsch, I also have a few, two featuring the maiden. post lamp is from '64

Any information on Female Bat Dancer?

Information wanted

Liesl Wilson if you are wanting price you need to look on ebay as prices are regional. If anything other than that you need to state what type of information you want.

Would this be an example of the Italian made chalk ware lamp and marble top table set? No makers marking on the lamp and it seems to be plaster/chalkware. I purchased the lamp and table together and they appear to match. The underside of the marble is stamped "Made in Italy" Is it safe to say they were probably produced in Italy together and in what time period? 1960's?

Thank you!

Yes, especially if they came with base, as the hirsch foundry did not work in plaster or chalkware and some were made in america, but yours is made in Italy. Houzz asked me to comment on this one. 60's is a good time frame for this, a lot of these lamps were esp made in 1967 onwards after an exhibition in the met. I have seen examples marked 1967 onwards. Very nice piece that you have, just love it. The base helps to verify the age it was made, and I love studying the bases and these lamps. In the 90's they were being sold by people and I had seen some at garage sales. Phil. --- Hre are some examples if you need more verification:

https://www.collectorsweekly.com/user/PhilDMorris/60s-to-80s-plaster-and-metal-statues-a

I've seen that mold before, Moreau? Love it in the post lamp style, are those slag panels?

Thank you Phil Morris for the information, I appreciate your response! I have seen this mold from Moreau as well George. It is titled "Two Sisters" it looks identical to the lamp. And you are correct that is slag glass in the panels.

You are welcome.

This thread has been most helpful and I recently purchased this lamp at auction - knowing nothing but having to bid on it and win! Thank you for the history lesson!