Dinah, a Collections Research volunteer, recently researched Mr Devil (Object No. A5121) from the Powerhouse Collection, a striking wooden hall figure attributed to Francesco Toso and dating from around 1875–1890.
Mr Devil is one of a pair, together with Mrs Devil (Object No. A5122). These dramatic carvings reflect the late 19th century’s fascination with horror and theatrical symbolism and are thought to have been inspired by Mephistopheles and Marguerite from Goethe’s Faust. Similar figures attributed to Toso appear in European auctions today, sometimes achieving very high prices.
Francesco Toso was born into a Murano family of glass manufacturers but pursued his own creative path, producing furniture, mirrors, and sculptural wood carvings. His devil figures were particularly admired. Many surviving works are listed as “attributed to Toso” or “Successori Toso,” indicating production by Toso or his workshop. He died suddenly in Chicago in 1893 while installing works for the World’s Fair.
Both Mr and Mrs Devil, were purchased in London in 1908 by David Hart, a successful Australian businessman and company director. After his death in 1927, the figures likely passed to his daughter and her husband, Sir Samuel Sydney Cohen, a prominent civic and business figure in Sydney. The devils were installed in the family home in Woollahra.
They were later donated to the museum by the Cohens’ younger son, Paul Cullen, who served with distinction in World War II, rising to the rank of Major General and dedicating much of his later life to civic service, particularly refugee resettlement.
Mr Devil is a remarkable example of 19th-century European carving!
Thanks to Dinah, for her valuable research into this object from the Powerhouse Collection.
Research and story by volunteer Dinah. Blogpost by Karen Griffiths, (Volunteers Program Officer)