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France
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 The base |
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“Insatiable Lust” A Statue by Famed French Artist Clodion (a‘copy’) (Item FRAN 4-1) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This artist, whose real name was Claude Michel, was born in Nancy, France Dec. 20, 1738. He worked with the famous Rococo sculptor Jean Batiste Pigalle. In 1759, the Royal academy awarded Clodian the Grand Prize for sculpture. He created his most important works during the 1770’s and 1780’s. He created some monumental works of sculpture including the marble St. Cecilia and the bronze crucified Christ. He was commissioned by the Royal Government to produce numerous memorials and statues. He was, however, most noted for small intimate terra-cotta and bronze sculptures or statuettes of nymphs, fauns, satyrs, and seated Bacchante. These graceful productions convey a mood of exuberant gaiety and depend for their effect upon a delicate mixture of highly refined textures and of course the imaginative mythological creatures symbolic of erotic fanciful pleasure.
Such works as the ‘Intoxication of Wine’ (a nymph and satyr scene) would be a typical example and would be considered wholly within the decorative Rococo traditions of 18th century art.
In this statuette we offer, the master depicts again the intoxification of strong drink as a young nymph seems to attack in erotic fever a bronze statue of a satyr as found in certain Grecian or Roman groves. Clodion also liked to get cherubs into the scenes and here the little scamps are doing their best to enhance the ribald scene. The figure stands 14 inches high and the diameter of the marble base is about 13”. This of course is a copy of the original but the consigner says it is about 80 or more years old. Clodian’s various works represent the quintessence of the Rococo style. Although he worked mainly in terra-cotta, he also produced bronze statuary as well. He did as we have earlier referenced create some of the world’s most famous sculpture such as the fantastic statue of the Baron de Montesquieu -- one of the leading philosophers of “The Enlightenment.” But mostly he will always be remembered for his celebrated playful reliefs and statuettes of nymphs, satyrs, cupids and the sort. Many of his works are mirth inspiring such as this one. Some will be offended by it especially if the details are examined closer but such was some of the art of the bawdy 18th century. Yes, racy and naughty but humorous at the same time at least to the Rococo predilection in many instances. This is a fine copy of this Clodian bronze sculpture and it is cast professionally in genuine bronze. PRICE: $1,200 indeed a bargain! |
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Napoleon Plate (Vive La Emperor) (Item FRAN 4-2) |
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| DESCRIPTION: This is a nice 8 ½" diameter plate depicting Napoleon and his soldiers in battle pose. Around the edges we encounter flags, bayonets, cannon, and the crowned (N) representing Napoleon with the laurel wreath of Victory. We believe this is a decorative collector’s plate from the turn of the century. The mark on the back is a rampant lion and the words in French or Dutch that translate to Germanic society in Maestricht. This would indicate a specially made piece of porcelain with limited issue or perhaps unique?? PRICE: $125.00 |
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 Artist's signature |
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Huge Bronze Sculpture of 1870 French Soldier by Aristide Croisy (Item FRAN 4-3) |
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DESCRIPTION: This is a monumental bronze statue by the famed sculptor Aristide Croisy born in Fagnon Ardennes. He was a pupil of the great sculptor Toussaint. He received prestigious medals of the Salon 1873, 1882, and 1885. He was honored with the Legion d’ Honor in 1885. He was a prolific artist turning out many hundred of bronze statues in his career. Some for official government sources. He was most famous for military subjects. His l’Invasion group was world famous. This was a two part set depicting a French soldier and the other part was a French sailor both at the ready with rifles. This one we offer is one of his most famous sculptures. It depicts a French 1870-period soldier foraging with rifle in hand. It is most accurate and the fine detail is wonderful. We said it is large!! Measures 20” high including the base. The rifle he holds is 16" long and the base is 8" x 12" in size. The soldier is 15 ½" high. It is signed by the artist and is very heavy! This is a true museum piece extraordinaire! PRICE: $6,800.00 |
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 Artist's signature |
A Bronze Figure of a French Soldier with Standard (World War I) (Item FRAN 4-4) |
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DESCRIPTION: This bronze sculpture is magnificent in its patriotic depiction of a “Poliu” officer. The detail is wonderful and prodigiously accurate. The statue stands about a foot high and is signed G. Saulo. This was George Ernest Saulo, one of the greatest sculptors of military art in the 19th century. He also sculpted many feminine figures depicted in the nude. This statue we offer here is nothing short of great. It depicts a hope of Glory that was won in WWI and dashed to the ground in WWII by Hitler’s Wehrmacht 1940. The soldiers of WWI France were, with a few exceptions, not Napoleon's Old Guard. The Grande Armee was past tense, but don’t tell this guy that we offer here anything like that. His love for l’Belle France is obvious. At the end of the day this is truly a really fine art piece. Absolutely museum quality! It should be featured all by itself in a lighted glass showcase prominently displayed, it is actually that good. PRICE: $1,950.00 |
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 Captain Cole, Royal Navy |
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 Note missing silver |
 Old replacements |
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 Note slight patching |
 Slight patching |
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 "Captain" |
 "Cole, RN" |
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A Beautiful French Hunting Cutlass Captured in Battle |
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DESCRIPTION: This is a wonderful museum piece (personified!). It is a French hunting sword that is ivory and silver mounted, possibly dating back to the 17th century but could be as late as 1750. This weapon was captured by Captain Sir Christopher Cole of the British Royal Navy. Captain Cole was the skipper of the famed HMS Caroline and the Rippon, a 36 gun frigate in service against the French and earlier against the Dutch. The internet is replete with the adventures of Captain Sir Christopher Cole so we will not explore his illustrious career here at this time. He served as a Member of Parliament after his life of high adventures on the sea had ended. He had also served in the rank of Colonel in the Royal Marines. He was invested as a Knight Commander (Order of the Bath) (KCB) in 1814. The sword or hunting weapon that we offer was captured from a French Captain during Captain Cole's many daring sea engagements. The style of hunting sword is longer than the usual and quite fancy indeed. Why would a French Captain be armed with a hunting sword instead of a naval sword? This is a speculative question but it can be supposed that it was a family heirloom and probably from a family of aristocracy as this weapon was obviously made by a swordsmith of the ‘master craft.’ The beauty of it is obvious. And please pay attention to the standing Turk on the blade that is commenserate with the memory of Prince Eugene of Savoy who defeated the Turks at the Battle of Vienna. Prince Eugene was born in Paris and was a hereditary Prince of the Royal House of Savoy. The French had a love/hate relationship with the Turks and Muslims, using them as allies from time to time but also fighting them in other eras. But many of the weapons of Austrians, Hungarians and the French often depict a fierce Turk in the blades of especially these styles of hunting weapons. The shape and style of the sword is very Islamic looking and this was favored by the French noble classes. We earnestly believe the French Captain who surrendered to Captain Cole was of French gentry at least, and Capt Cole treasured the sword enough that he had his name and R.N. (Royal Navy) engraved under the cross guard. (Shown in our pictures). We also believe this to be more than likely a mid-17th century sword (maybe 1650 or so.) It is of sword length -- 31" long in its scabbard. The beautiful silver decorative plaques that lie upon the gorgeous ivory grips stand out boldly. The silver fittings on the scabbard are at some places repaired with silver overlay -- the scars of battle? Probably! The blade is about 21 ½" long and except for some old antiqued rust spots, it is quite excellent for its age and past usage. It would be rated as (museum grade excellent) and for a weapon of this age to have its leather and wood scabbard still there and fine is the incredible Ivory grip, but it has the minute age cracks to be expected on a weapon as old as this one. Back to the blade... it has about 8 engraved pictographs including the Turk. Some of the engraved parts at the base of the blade where it meets the cross guard are quite worn indicating that it was drawn often and used possibly through the many years. This was not the weapon of any peasant or even a lower class noble; it was surely the property of a highly placed Royal personage or at least fabulously wealthy landed gentry. It’s a superlative weapon worthy of display in the finest museum or very advanced collection. We have handled many fine pieces at Germania but this one is worthy of bragging about. A sword of elegant beauty but also it has the distinction of having belonged to a French officer and an illustrious British sea-going Knight of the Bath and M.P. Fantastic! PRICE: $9.500.00 |
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Page Four |
Please refer to item designator in parentheses in all correspondence.
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