circa 1805, after models by Claude Galle (French, 1759-1815)
each formed as a Naophori priestess supporting stylised cornucopia branches, the cylindrical nozzles with detachable crown drip collars, seated on rectangular tapering plinths cast with pseudo-hieroglyphics,
41cm high (2)

Footnotes

Provenance:
Property of a UK gentleman collector.

The son of a farmer, Claude Galle rose beyond his humble roots to become an important bronze caster and gilder at the end of the 1700s. Although never apparently signing his works and producing in a variety of styles popular at the end of the 18th and start of the 19th century, he collaborated with numerous other craftsmen, and scholars.

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 Compiègne in his workshop and he was made a master bronzier in 1786.

After the French Revolution, Galle continued to produce numerous pieces for Napoleon Bonaparte, receiving an order worth more than 65,000 francs for the Château of Saint-Cloud. As many of his clients were slow to pay their bills, however, he fell increasingly into debt. In 1811 he was even forced to write a begging letter to the government asking for its help and protection reminding them of the awards he had won, the large family he had to feed, and the four hundred employees who depended on him for their jobs. However, he died in poverty four years later, having been forced to close his shop.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows:
Buyer's Premium Rates
28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price;
27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,000 up to and including £800,000;
21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

Off site storage location

For auctions held in Scotland: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (Constantine, Constantine House, North Caldeen Road, Coatbridge ML5 4EF, Scotland, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please refer to the catalogue for further information. For all other auctions: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (Cadogan Tate, Auction House Services, 241 Acton Lane, London NW10 7NP, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 14 calendar days from the auction date.

Bid now on these items

Coming soon

A pair of late 19th century French gilt bronze mounted pink griotte marble garniture urns
In the Louis XVI style

£1,200 - £1,800

Coming soon

A large late Victorian oak and brass dinner gong
Late 19th / early 20th century, acquired by the Set Decorating Department for the third film, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

£500 - £700

Coming soon

Dame Maggie Smith (as the Dowager Countess): a selection of character props used as set decoration for her desk

£600 - £800

Coming soon

Jim Carter (as Mr Carson): a selection of character props used as set decoration in his study

£200 - £300

Coming soon

Jim Carter (as Mr Carson): an oak hanging key cabinet together with a large collation of prop keys
The cabinet in the Victorian style, the keys 18th century and later , from Season 5 onwards

£500 - £700

Coming soon

Dame Maggie Smith (as the Dowager Countess): a white metal mounted ebonised walking cane

£500 - £800

Coming soon

The Downton Abbey Bell Wall
First seen in Season 1, in the Servant's Hall, made by the Art Department's model makers

£5,000 - £7,000

Coming soon

A large Italian carved marble bust of Pericles
After the Antique, probably late 18th/early 19th century

£10,000 - £15,000

Coming soon

Two similar Derbyshire blue john fluorspar ovoid door stops
Early 20th century

£800 - £1,200

Coming soon

A large French mid-19th century gilt-bronze eight light chandelier
In the Louis XV style

£5,000 - £8,000

Coming soon

A rare Regency treen Gothic gatehouse timepiece case

£700 - £1,000

An Austrian cold-painted bronze of a French Bulldog, with another similar
circa 1900

£500 - £700

An Austrian cold-painted bronze of a French Bulldog singed Carl Kauba, with two similar
late 19th early 20th century

£500 - £700

A pair of early 19th century French patinated and gilt bronze figural twin light candelabra in the Egyptian tastecirca 1805, after models by Claude Galle (French, 1759-1815)

Own a similar item?

Looking for a similar item?

Ask about this lot

Michael Lake