Pair Of Gilt Bronze Ewers Depicting Bacchanalian Scenes After Clodion, Late 19th Century

Spectacular pair of Renaissance-style decorative ewers in chased and gilded bronze, featuring a rich decoration of bacchanalian scenes inspired by the work of Claude Michel, known as Clodion, with handles and spouts. Description of the Ewer: Architecture and Decoration The Base and Body: The object rests on a circular, fluted pedestal, elegantly highlighted by a frieze of vine leaves and a row of pearls. The gilded bronze mount encloses an ovoid body, the base of which is adorned with large, stylized acanthus leaves. The body displays a rich bas-relief decoration in the style of Clodion. It depicts a lively Bacchic procession: putti and young satyrs escort a dog and a goat, brandishing thyrses or drawing a chariot with the exuberance characteristic of ancient processions. Upper Ornamentation and Handle The upper part of the ewer adopts the ornamental vocabulary of gilt bronzes with hints of vine leaves and pearls. The spout, particularly elaborate, is adorned with acanthus leaves at its base, complemented by frieze motifs of olives and small coins. The guilloché handle is a key element of the composition: • The top: A winged Bacchic putto sits atop it, straddling the attachment facing a bird, holding a bunch of grapes. • The body: Vine scrolls twine around foliate fluting. • The drop: The handle terminates on the body, ending in a delicate ram's head. The whole is distinguished by the density of its moldings and the virtuosity of the piece, with its assertive chasing. Technical Specifications • Dimensions: Height 58 cm | Maximum width 26 cm | Base diameter 14 cm. • Period: France, late 19th century. • Weight: Approximately 10 kg per piece. • Craftsmanship: Each ewer is composed of about ten separate bronze pieces, demonstrating high-quality workmanship. The bronzes are marked on the inside with the initials of bronze casters (JJ 67, L). • Quality: Beautiful relief effect, remarkable metal thickness, highly decorative ensemble. Condition report: see photos. Overall condition: Superb original state of preservation. • Gilding: Sumptuous two-tone gilding (matte and glossy). • Wear: Slight signs of use and age consistent with the objects' age. • Integrity: No damage, complete objects. • Provenance: Parisian private collection. Bibliography: These scenes are similar to the bas-reliefs created by Clodion for the Hôtel de Condé in 1781 at the request of the Princess of Bourbon-Condé. The architect of the Hôtel de Condé, Alexandre-Théodore Brongniart, commissioned Clodion to create seven bas-reliefs. These were located in the main courtyard of the private mansion, surrounding the oculi. Two models, very close to the scene depicted, entitled "Children's Bacchanalia: The Sacrifice of the Goat," created in 1781, are held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Louvre Museum. Worldwide delivery, secure packaging, tracking. Fast communication.