Statuary

A copy, made by a modern artist, of an antique statute is a "professional production of a statuary or sculptor," -within the customs law. Revised Statutes, § 2504, Schedule M, directs that the duty on "paintings and statuary not otherwise provided for " shall be " ten per centum ad valorem. But the term statuary as used in the laws now in force imposing duties on foreign importations shall be understood to include the professional productions of a statuary or sculptor only." The object of this section is to encourage a taste for art, and hence to admit the work of professional artists at a low rate of duty. A sculptor is " one whose occupation is to carve wood, stone, or other material, into images or statues, " A statuary is " one who professes or practices the art of carving images or making statues." The " professional-productions " of a statuary or sculptor are the practical results of the practice of his profession or occupation,— the "images or statues" produced by the pxercise of his professional skill. In this sense, the statute embraces all the artistic work of a statuary or sculptor who pursues the employment of his class as a profession.* See Copyright; Design, 2; Furniture; Satisfactory.