Origins of little old busts please?

[lurker17260]

While I have your attention, and because you were so quick and helpful with my last question :-x I have another for you.  I'd love to know more about these little guys.

The family story goes that my grandfathers grandfathers mother gave these two little busts to him when he left the Orkney Isles for New Zealand in ??? (I'm not sure but a long time ago! :8})

They both have St-NAZAIRE stamped on the base and Blot. on their shoulders.  They are about 15cm high.  They look like they may be clay of some sort, although I don't have enough knowledge to be sure of that.

Again, more pics to follow.

[oldworldlady]

Né dans l’Oise à Grandvilliers en 1830,

means

born in L'Oise at Grandvilliers in 1830. The rest I'm struggling with.

[lurker17260]

Thanks. Google translate is my newest best friend :^O

Everything seems to point to them being at least "after the style of" Eugene Blot which makes a mockery of the family story about where they come from.  Family lore would have them about 80 years older than Blot's other works.  My grandfather was a particularly upstanding and honest man, so it must be a myth perpetrated by his parents.  How disappointing.

We still love them though and will keep them in the family :-x

[oldworldlady]

What you don't know is how long your grandfather's grandfather's mother had these for before she gave them away. She could have bought them new as a present, so 30 yrs approx for a generation would make them approx 120 years old. (I think!)