The sculpture depicts the bust of a young woman, with her head turned slightly to the right. She gazes upwards into the distance, and has a peaceful expression on her face. The woman’s neck, face and wavy tied-up hair have been finely carved from pure white marble. She wears a bonnet and delicate blouse, crafted from ormolu (gilt bronze).

This sculpture is signed ‘A Gory/ Paris’ for the accomplished Italian-born artist, Affortunato Gory. Gory is famous for his sculptures of young women and children, which were often created from a combination of marble, ormolu, ivory and alabaster. Gory spent most of his artistic career in France, where he established a name for himself as an accomplished sculptor. He was well-respected by his contemporaries, and he regularly exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français.