🌊 Grand Tour French Bronze – “Call of the Triton Conch”

Sea Putti After Clodion (c.1820) • In the Manner of Gonon Frères, Paris ⚜️

🐚 Overview

A magnificent early 19th-century French bronze masterpiece depicting three sea putti — one portrayed as a young Triton sounding a conch shell while the others frolic with animated grace.
Cast entirely in solid patinated bronze, including its rare integrated bronze base, this exceptional work exemplifies Grand Tour elegance and Parisian craftsmanship in the manner of the celebrated foundry Gonon Frères.

🎨 Description

Modelled in the spirit of Clodion (Claude Michel), the group displays the flowing Rococo lines, expressive charm, and lively motion that defined his school.
The Triton child lifts his conch to summon the waves, while his companions twist and embrace with joyful animation.
The bronze retains its original warm patina, with fine ciselure (hand-chasing) visible in the hair, anatomy, and drapery — a true testament to the artistry of early 19th-century Paris.

📏 Dimensions

• Height: 52.5 cm

• Width: 41.5 cm

• Depth: 39.5 cm

• Widest span: 48 cm

• Weight: approx. 35 kg ⚖️

A substantial, beautifully balanced bronze with remarkable sculptural presence.

🏛️ Foundry Notes – In the Manner of Gonon Frères, Paris

This work exhibits casting traits, surface refinement, and patina tone consistent with pieces produced by Gonon Frères, active c.1800–1830.
Their foundry was known for heavy, thick-walled castings, meticulous finishing, and the rare practice of casting sculpture and base as a single bronze unit.

Unsigned and without foundry mark — entirely typical for early 19th-century bronzes — this piece’s workmanship and density align closely with the Gonon tradition, making the attribution both stylistically and historically credible.

🔩 Early Casting Technique

Created using a hybrid of lost-wax and sand casting, this sculpture features a thick-walled bronze body with a unified base, refined through expert hand-chasing.
The result is exceptional durability, weight, and sculptural depth — a level of craftsmanship seldom achieved after the 1830s.

🎭 About Clodion (Claude Michel, 1738–1814)

A master of Rococo sculpture, Clodion was celebrated for his terracottas of putti, nymphs, and mythological scenes.
Though this bronze dates to around 1820 — shortly after his death — it belongs to the École de Clodion, continuing his legacy of playful grace and classical sensuality.
Parisian founders frequently produced bronzes “After Clodion” to satisfy collectors of the Grand Tour period.

🌊 Mythological Theme

The composition depicts Triton, son of Poseidon, sounding his shell to command the sea.
Rendered here as spirited sea putti, the group captures poetic vitality and maritime charm — motifs beloved by Restoration-era connoisseurs.

🕰️ Date & Origin

• France, circa 1820

• Early Restoration period

🔍 Condition Report

Excellent original condition with a rich, untouched antique patina and natural verdigris.
No structural issues; surface detail remains crisp.
Unsigned, as typical for bronzes of this era.
Age-related wear and light fraying to the fabric underside.

💛 Why You’ll Love It

✅ Early 19th-century French bronze
✅ Inspired by Clodion’s Rococo elegance
✅ In the manner of Gonon Frères, Paris ⚜️
✅ Rare integrated base casting technique
✅ Exceptional weight and presence (approx. 35 kg)
✅ Ideal collector’s piece — museum-quality artistry and provenance

📜 Provenance

From a distinguished private collection in Surrey, curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD.
Such bronzes were prized by elite collectors of the Restoration era — including the Marquis de Sommariva (1755–1829) — for their expressive modelling and refined casting.