Grand Tour French Bronze Group Call of the Triton Conch Sea Putti After Clodion
Description


Classical Grand Tour French Bronze Group – “Call of the Triton Conch” Sea Putti, After Clodion (c.1820) – In the Manner of Gonon Frères, Paris

A magnificent antique original early 19th-century French bronze depicting three sea putti, one acting as a young Triton sounding a conch shell while the others engage in lively, playful movement. Cast entirely in solid patinated bronze — including its rare fully integrated bronze base — this sculpture is a distinguished and impressive work from the Grand Tour era, created in the manner of the celebrated Parisian foundry Gonon Frères.

Description
Modelled in the spirit of Clodion (Claude Michel), the group displays the flowing Rococo lines, expressive charm and swirling movement for which his school became celebrated.
The Triton child lifts the conch to call the sea, while the two attendant putti twist and embrace with joyful animation. The sculpture retains its original warm patina, with fine ciselure (hand-chasing) carried through the hair, anatomy and drapery.

Dimensions
Height: 52.5 cm
Width: 41.5 cm
Depth: 39.5 cm
Widest span: 48 cm
Weight: Exceptionally heavy for its size at around 35 kg — a substantial and beautifully balanced bronze with commanding presence.

Foundry Notes — In the Manner of Gonon Frères, Paris
This sculpture shows casting characteristics, surface refinement, patina tone and alloy density that align closely with works produced by the renowned atelier of Gonon Frères, active c.1800–1830.
Their foundry was admired for exceptionally heavy, thick-walled castings, meticulous surface finishing and the rare practice of casting the sculpture and its base as a single unified bronze structure.
The piece is unsigned and bears no visible foundry stamp, which is entirely typical for early 19th-century French bronzes. Any original mark may have worn away over two centuries, or it may simply never have been applied, as many early Restoration works — including those produced in the manner of Gonon Frères — were routinely released without marks.
The overall craftsmanship is highly consistent with works produced in the manner of Gonon Frères, making this a credible and historically supported stylistic association.

Rare Early Casting Method
This bronze was produced using a superior early 19th-century technique: a thick-walled bronze casting with a single-piece integrated bronze base, created through a hybrid of lost-wax casting (for the putti) and sand casting (for the heavy base).
Both were unified through expert hand-chasing, giving the sculpture exceptional weight, durability and sculptural depth.
Such casting quality is seldom seen after the 1830s.

About Clodion (Claude Michel, 1738–1814)
Clodion was one of France’s most celebrated sculptors, admired for his terracottas of putti, nymphs, satyrs and Bacchic dancers.
Although this piece dates from c.1820 — slightly after his lifetime — it clearly belongs to the École de Clodion, continuing the elegance, fluidity and joyful classical spirit for which he was renowned. Parisian founders regularly created bronzes “After Clodion” to satisfy collectors’ admiration for his style.

Mythology
The subject represents Triton, son of Poseidon, sounding his conch shell to command the waves. Rendered here as playful putti, the scene becomes poetic, charming and filled with maritime vitality — a theme highly valued by early 19th-century collectors.

Date
France, Circa 1820
Early Restoration period.

Condition Report
Good original condition with a rich, untouched antique patina & verdigris with appropriate age character.
The sculpture is unsigned, and no foundry mark is visible — a normal feature of early 19th-century French bronzes. Any stamp or signature may have worn away with time, or the piece may have originally been released without one, as was common practice among early Parisian foundries, including those working in the manner of Gonon Frères.
There are no structural issues and the surface retains its authentic period finish. Some losses and tears to the fabric lining underneath.

Why You’ll Love It
️ Authentic c.1820 French bronze — a true early 19th-century work.
️ Mythology & movement — Triton’s call captured with elegance and vitality.
️ In the manner of Gonon Frères ⚜️ — prestigious Parisian foundry style.
️ Clodion’s influence — Rococo softness rendered in bronze.
️ Rare early casting technique — thick-walled bronze with an integrated base.
️ Impressive presence — weighing 35 kg, it commands a space.
️ Collector’s rarity ️ — early Grand Tour bronzes of this quality are seldom found.
A work of true beauty, history and classical poetry.

Provenance
From a distinguished private collection in Surrey, curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.
Collectors of early 19th-century French bronzes — notably figures such as the Marquis de Sommariva (1755–1829), celebrated for his admiration of the Clodion school and for assembling one of Europe’s most refined collections of Parisian sculpture — greatly valued bronzes of this character. Works featuring Triton themes, lively sea putti and richly patinated, dense Restoration-period casting were especially prized within such sophisticated collecting circles.



Reserve: $19,440.00

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