Bust

This Gothic-style bust of an angel or female saint is a forgery, purchased by the museum as an example of what a forgery might constitute. Parisian workshops of the early 20th century were famous for their restorations, but also produced many complete forgeries, often with a private collector specifically in mind. By the early 20th century, the market for Gothic sculpture had greatly expanded, and so many dealers were driven to criminal acts in order to fulfil this increased demand.