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Lot Essay
The design of these ewers is confidently attributed to the foremost bronzier Claude Galle (d.1815) in H. Ottomeyer, P. Pröeschel et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. I, p. 364, fig. 5.12.6. The design seems to have found particular favour amongst Russian and English collectors and was executed either in ormolu or in patinated bronze, the bodies raised on marble or ormolu plinths, and occasionally embellished with further classical figures in relief. Related examples can be found at the Württemberg Landesmuseum in Stuttgart, at Pavlovsk in St Petersburg and at Ostankino in Moscow, whilst a further pair was formerly in the collection of the Earls of Essex, Cassiobury Park in the 19th century (almost certainly that sold from the Ojjeh Collection, Christie's Monaco, 11-12 December 1999, lot 153 (FF264,000 with premium).
Galle was amongst the greatest bronziers and fondeur-ciseleurs of the late Louis XVI and Empire periods. First patronised by the Garde Meuble de la Couronne under Jean d'Heure from 1786-1788, he is known to have collaborated with Pierre-Philipe Thomire, amongst others, and was responsible for much of the bronzes d'ameublement supplied during the Empire period to Fontainebleau.
Galle was amongst the greatest bronziers and fondeur-ciseleurs of the late Louis XVI and Empire periods. First patronised by the Garde Meuble de la Couronne under Jean d'Heure from 1786-1788, he is known to have collaborated with Pierre-Philipe Thomire, amongst others, and was responsible for much of the bronzes d'ameublement supplied during the Empire period to Fontainebleau.