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pair of antique bronze figurines of a boy and a dogpair of bronze figurines of a woman and a dog on marble bases
ALEXANDRE LANDRE - SEMUR-EN-AUXOIS

74 - Claude Michel CLODION (1738–1814), known as Clodion, after
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Estimate €2,000 - €3,000
Sale commission
Description
Claude Michel CLODION (1738–1814), known as Clodion, after *Les Bacchanales* A pair of grape-harvesting cherubs in chiselled and patinated bronze, seated on a goat. The first is handing out grapes, whilst the second is tugging at his goatee. They rest on a rectangular plinth in grey Saint-Anne marble, moulded with a groove and encircled by a gilded bronze acanthus frieze. The ensemble is supported by ball-shaped feet. Paris. Louis XVI period H_18 cm W_17.5 cm D_9 cm Claude Michel CLODION He came to Paris and joined the workshop of his uncle, the sculptor Lambert-Sigisbert Adam (1700–1759). Upon his uncle’s death, he studied for a few months under Jean-Baptiste Pigalle (1714–1785). Having won first prize for sculpture in 1759, he arrived in Rome in 1762. However, he extended his stay by six years to meet the demands of a significant private clientele, including Empress Catherine II of Russia. In 1771, he was ordered to return to France. As an accredited pupil, he exhibited at the Salon du Louvre from 1773 onwards. He returned to Italy in early 1774 to select marble at the request of the chapter of Rouen Cathedral, as well as on behalf of the Directorate-General of the King’s Buildings. He stayed in Carrara at the start of the year, then in Rome, and returned to Marseille in May of the same year. He subsequently set up his studio on Place Louis XV, then on Rue de la Chaussée-d’Antin. His work quickly enjoyed great success: his clientele included the Duke of La Rochefoucauld, the Marquis de Marigny, the Countess of Orsay, the Prince of Conti, as well as a large number of financiers – Bourget de Vézelay, Baudart de Saint-James, Jean-Joseph de Laborde and Taillepied de Bondy. His patrons also included farmers-general and bankers such as Vassal de Saint-Hubert, Varanchan de Saint-Geniès and Bergeret de Grandcourt. Bibliography: - CLODION. Exhibition at the Louvre Museum, 17 March–27 June 1992, jointly curated by Anne L. Poulet and Guilhem Scherf; - *Les Adam et Clodion*, by H. Thirion – Paris 1885; - CLODION: sculptor of the 18th-century art of living, *L’Estampille – L’Objet d’Art*, March 1992, no. 256. Expert: Stéphane PEPE – Expert: PEPE Stéphane
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About the sale Collection of the Château de Villebourgeon & others
Auction location
Auction time 10/04/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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