Original bronze replica of the Marquis de Sade's skull.
One of 99 unique numbered copies executed by the Master Art Foundryman Avangini, bearing the imprint of the signature of the Marquis de Sade and the founder's stamp.
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Donatien Alphonse François de Sade (1740-1814). Marquis de Sade.
Original bronze replica of the Marquis de Sade's skull.
One of only 99 numbered copies (numbered 25/99).
Executed by the Master Art Founder Avangini, bearing the imprint of the signature of the Marquis de Sade and the founder's stamp.
Approximate dimensions: 20 x 13 x 15 cm. / Weight: 4 kg
We enclose the certificate of authenticity signed by the Countess de Sade – bearing the family's wax seal – confirming that this bronze was made from the authentic cast of the Marquis's skull kept at the Musée de l'Homme.
The Marquis de Sade died on Friday, December 2, 1814, at the Charenton Asylum. In defiance of his will, the Marquis was given a religious burial in the cemetery of the Charenton asylum. A few years later, during the relocation of the cemetery, the Marquis's body was exhumed. On this occasion, Dr. L.J. Ramon obtained his skull for study. Dr. Spurzheim then borrowed the skull, made a cast of it—now kept in the anthropology laboratory of the Musée de l'Homme—and exhibited the original during his lectures in Europe before losing it, apparently somewhere in Germany or America.