A PAIR OF EARLY 18TH CENTURY FRENCH MARBLE RELIEFS OF THE VIRGIN AND CHRIST AFTER THE MODEL BY FRANÇOIS GIRARDON (1628-1715)of oval form, both busts depicted in profile, mounted in later gilt oval frames,23cm high x 19.5cm wide excluding framesThis pair of marble reliefs are derived from Girardon's bronze reliefs dating from 1691 and ornamenting the tabernacle of the church of Saint-Jean de Troyes, which was the sculptor's town of birth. The marble relief of the Virgin was no doubt inspired by Girardon's earlier relief depicting a bust of the Virgin carved in marble that he exhibited at l'Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture in 1657 and is now in the Louvre.Related Literature: F. Souchal, 'French Sculptors of the 17th and 18th centuries, The reign of Louis XIV', London 1981, Vol. II, pp. 62-65.Auction comparable: Sotheby's Paris, 30 September 2011 lot 75, sold £6785.Museum comparable: Louvre, Paris, Girardon's Mater Dolorosa marble relief of 1657, R.F. 3148.