{"product_id":"set-of-4-french-colonial-lead-figurines-african-ceremonial-scene-c-1950s-2c90","title":"Set of 4 French Colonial Lead Figurines, African Ceremonial Scene, c. 1950s — 2C90","description":"\u003cp\u003eA rare and historically evocative set of four hand-painted lead alloy figurines, produced in France circa 1950s–1960s, almost certainly by one of the major French toy soldier manufacturers of the period — \u003cstrong\u003eQuiralu, Clairet, or Starlux\u003c\/strong\u003e — as part of the \u003cem\u003e“figurines africaines”\u003c\/em\u003e series produced for the colonial-era toy market. These small objects occupy a fascinating position in the history of European material culture: simultaneously artifacts of mid-century French toy manufacturing at its most skilled, and documents of the colonial imagination that shaped European representations of Africa throughout the first half of the twentieth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe set is composed of four figures in two scales. The central and dominant piece is a \u003cstrong\u003etall ceremonial figure — approximately 15 cm in height\u003c\/strong\u003e — dressed in a dramatic white, red, and black striped ceremonial robe, arms raised overhead in a gesture of invocation or ritual authority, holding what appears to be a crescent form or tusk above the head. The face and exposed skin are painted in deep black with white highlights; the costume is rendered in bold vertical stripes of white, red, and navy. The overall impression is of a ritual specialist — a shaman, ceremonial dancer, or chief — caught at the height of a ceremonial moment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ethree smaller attendant figures — each approximately 6 cm in height\u003c\/strong\u003e — are cast with the same attention to detail. Each wears a colorful striped loincloth in red, white, and green, painted with remarkable precision at this scale. One figure holds a tam-tam drum against the body; a second carries a staff or spear; the third stands in a composed, upright pose. Together they form a coherent ceremonial grouping — musicians and attendants surrounding the central ritual figure — suggesting these were conceived and sold as a complete scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe paint is original throughout, with honest age-related chipping and wear consistent with objects of this period and material. The casting quality is good, with the characteristic slightly rough texture of hand-finished lead alloy production. No repairs or repainting are evident. The figures display well as a group and retain considerable charm and presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs collectibles, these figurines occupy several overlapping categories: French toy soldier collecting (Quiralu, Starlux, and Clairet are actively collected), colonial-era material culture, ethnographic toy history, and mid-century decorative objects. They are presented here as \u003cstrong\u003ehistorical artifacts, to be understood in the context of their time of production\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Antique painted metal figurines \/ French colonial toy soldiers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Attributed to Quiralu, Clairet, or Starlux (France) — unconfirmed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e France\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAge:\u003c\/strong\u003e Circa 1950s–1960s (approx. 65–75 years old)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Painted lead alloy \/ white metal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuantity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Set of 4 (1 large + 3 small)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions — Large figure:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15 × 3.5 × 3 cm \/ 5.9 × 1.4 × 1.2 in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions — Small figures:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6 × 3 × 3 cm \/ 2.4 × 1.2 × 1.2 in (each)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePaint:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original hand-painted; honest age wear and chipping\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good for age — original paint largely intact, honest patina, no repairs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubject:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ceremonial\/ritual scene — central shaman\/chief figure with three attendants (drummer, staff bearer, standing figure)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSKU:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2C90\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"One Royal Art","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54098425184602,"sku":"2C90","price":120.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0636\/9656\/8577\/files\/2C90_1.jpg?v=1777841345","url":"https:\/\/www.oneroyalart.com\/fr\/products\/set-of-4-french-colonial-lead-figurines-african-ceremonial-scene-c-1950s-2c90","provider":"One Royal Art","version":"1.0","type":"link"}