Lot number 3450 - Auction 160
BÜSTE DES FÜRSTEN FRANCISZEK KSAWERY (XAWERY) DRUCKI-LUBECKI

FRENCH SCULPTOR Active early 19th century BUST OF PRINCE FRANCISZEK KSAWERY (XAWERY) DRUCKI-LUBECKI Presumably France or Poland, likely c. 1828-1835 Bronze, dark patina. H. 21, W. 11.5, D. 9.5 cm; weight approx. 2.2 kg. Inscribed on the side "Le Molt" (or "Lemolt") and "X.= XAWRY LUBECKI". A high-quality, finely executed Neoclassical portrait bust of the Polish statesman and Prince Franciszek Ksawery Drucki-Lubecki (1778-1846). It depicts the Finance Minister of the Kingdom of Poland in early 19th-century attire, featuring finely modeled facial features and a dignified, commanding posture. Drucki-Lubecki served as Finance Minister of the Kingdom of Poland from 1821 to 1830, co-founded the Bank Polski, and was a key economic reformer in Congress Poland. He exerted a significant influence on Poland's economic development through his promotion of industry, infrastructure, and the financial sector. A connection to Alexandre-Édouard Le Molt (or Le Molt-Nettancourt)-a figure documented in contemporary French sources-is plausible. The bust may have been created by a hitherto unidentified sculptor, commissioned by Le Molt, and presented to Drucki-Lubecki as a commemorative or honorary gift. Minor knocks/abrasions; loss of patina. Provenance: Private collection, North Rhine-Westphalia.