Antique 19thC French Naturalism Terracotta Sculpture "La Source" Putti Sculpture by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse,1864 Mid-Century Modern with the Roman god Mercury

with the Roman god Mercury standing aloft

possibly explaining the silver footed wine cooler with wine glasses in the foreground below

The trunk of the case with carved 'ropetwist' pilasters

the plates having pseudo-spurious Chinese marks

Below is a frieze of corresponding hemispherical carvings flanked by a pair of circular columns above twin doors

Antique 19thC French Naturalism Terracotta Sculpture "La Source" Putti Sculpture by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse,1864 Mid-Century Modern with the Roman god MercuryAn original and authentic terracotta figurative group sculpture, by Albert Carrier Belluse (1824 1887), titled "La Source", 1864. The sculpture depicts two putto or cherubs wearing laurel wreaths in their hair and engaged playfully around a small rustic water barrel. One putto with his finger to his lips making a "shush" gesture, the other putto leans forward with his hand reaching in to the flowing water from the barrel. The figures are seated on a