Herbert Ward (British, 1863-1919) Les Bantu (The Forest Lovers)

Herbert Ward (British, 1863-1919) Les Bantu (The Forest Lovers) signed 'Herbert Ward' (to base lower left); inscribed with the foundry mark 'E. GRUET JN_E/FONDEUR PARIS' (to base lower right) bronze 57.5cm (22 5/8in) high Footnotes: Provenance Anon. sale, Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo, 4 May 2019, lot 36, as 'Les bantous'. Another cast of Les Bantu (The Forest Lovers) can be found in the collection of the Smithsonian Institute (USNM no. E323729-0). This was donated into the collection by the artist's wife and is noted as having been exhibited under the title 'Les Bantu' at the Salon Société des Artistes Français, Paris, first in plaster in 1904 and then in bronze in 1905. The story of the bantu couple shown in this bronze features in Ward's book 'A Voice from The Congo....', in which he tells the tragic love story of Makwata and Balala. We first meet the young couple in the forest discussing their forthcoming marriage and prospective happiness. However, on the eve of their wedding, Balala is captured by another village member; Mueli, who planned to kill Makwata and take Balala as his wife. In an attempt to free Balala, Makwata throws his spear at Mueli only to miss and hit Balala. Distraught with his actions Makwata rushes to Balala's side where she sadly dies in his arms. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing