A Fine pair of French Empire gilt bronze or ormolu and patinated bronze ewers of
neoclassical form attributed to Claude Galle (1759-1846). French, circa: 1800-1805.
Measuring: 15.5" high. Weight: 25 pounds.
The ormolu mounted patinated bronze Rooster
handled ewers are elaborately adored with neoclassical design. Related ewers of the exact form, size, and mounts were supplied
to several Important Houses in Europe starting in the Directoire period from 1795 until 1810.
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Literature:
Claude Galle (1759-1815)
Claude Galle began work in the foundry of his father-in-law, Pierre Foy. He became an important bronze caster and gilder at the end of the 1700s. By 1784 Galle had become extremely successful, producing mounts for furniture, clocks, and other objects in gilt bronze for the palaces of Fontainebleau, Versailles, Saint-Cloud, and Compiegne. He became master of the guild in 1786 and immediately received royal commissions for the gilding of bronze. In the late 1790s, Galle became official purveyor to the Garde Meuble and supplied numerous gilt bronzes for Napoleon Bonaparte's at Chateau St. Cloud. No other bronzier in Paris surpassed the number of royal commissions he had. After the French Revolution, Galle continued to produce numerous pieces for Napoleon Bonaparte, receiving an order worth more than 65,000 francs for the Chateau of Saint-Cloud. Later Claude Galle's son Gerard-Jean Galle joined his father in his workshop. In the early 19th century, he participated in the refurnishing of all royal palaces, including Napoleon's residences in Italy during his period there. At this time, his firm was one of the largest in Paris, with 400 workers. The decline of his business began with Napoleon's continental blockade of 1806 and progressed in step with Napoleon's demise and ended 1812 in bankruptcy.
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Lost wax method of bronze casting. Hand chasing and chiseling of the surface. Original patina present and intact. The ormolu is Mercury gilded with both Matt finish and highly burnished areas of highlight. Gilding is original and in tact.
Overall condition is good with only
two tiny tips of ormolu palmetes lacking underside of one ewer.
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