Bonhams Great masters of bronze and clockmaking in the spotlight

Treasures from the Attics of a Residence in Corfu

Collectors of decorative arts, art bronzes and antique clocks are invited to Bonhams Paris from 1 to 10 September 2026 for an online sale featuring works by some of the greatest bronze makers and clockmakers of the nineteenth century. This prestigious selection highlights the remarkable craftsmanship of workshops and artisans who left a lasting mark on the history of European decorative arts.

At the heart of this auction, comprising pieces discovered in the attics of a residence in Corfu, Greece, collectors will have the opportunity to discover a refined ensemble of clinocks, mantel garnitures, ornamental bronzes and works of art that illustrate the artistic and technical excellence of the Empire period and the nineteenth century.

Among the leading lots is a remarkable patinated and gilt-bronze mantel clock depicting Pallas Athena attributed to Gérard-Jean Galle, circa 1820. It embodies the exceptional quality of execution and the neoclassical taste that characterize the First Empire period. The richness of detail, the finesse of the chasing and the harmonious proportions testify to the talent of the Parisian workshops that helped establish the international reputation of French furniture and decorative arts in the early nineteenth century (Estimate: €6,000-8,000).

Hubert Felbacq, Head of the Classics Department at Bonhams in Paris, commented

“This sale offers a unique panorama of the genius of the great bronze makers and clockmakers who shaped European taste. It brings together objects of remarkable quality, sought after both for their historical significance and their aesthetic refinement. Through this selection, the sale highlights the vitality of the market for antique decorative arts, driven by the growing international demand for historic clocks, which stand at the crossroads of sculpture, decoration and horology.”

Other Highlights of the Sale include

• A pair of Empire period brown-patinated and gilt-bronze figures. The male and female figures face one another, dressed in draped tunics and seated on fluted square-sectioned half-columns. Estimate: €4,000-6,000

• An Empire gilt-bronze mantel clock depicting Paris, by Denière & Matelin. The central figure is depicted seated on the well's rim, wearing a Phrygian cap and holding out the apple. Estimate: €3,000-5,000

• A pair of Empire patinated and gilt bronze buires (ewers) by André-Antoine Ravrio. The oviform bodies are decorated with applied foliage motifs and rest on small pedestal feet on a red marble base. The handles feature scrollwork, griffin heads and bearded male masks. The same model appears in the portrait of André-Antoine Ravrio by Henri-François Riesener, held at the Louvre Museum.  Estimate: €2,000-3,000

• An oil lamp with an allegory of The Study after Louis Simon Boizot in gilt and patinated bronze, dating from the late eighteenth or early nineteenth century. Inspired by Antiquity, the oil lamp is adorned with a flame; the lower section features a gadrooned decoration, a small pedestal and a quadrangular base. Estimate: €5,000-7,000

• A circular surtout de table in gilt-bronze, attributed to Pierre Philippe Thomire, from the first half of the nineteenth century. It consists of four small pillars featuring the heads of Bacchus and musical trophies, supporting a wide frieze of daisies tied with ribbons, surmounted by young Bacchus figures holding vine shoots.  Estimate: €3,000-5,000

About Bonhams

Founded in 1793, Bonhams is one of the world's leading auction houses — defined by connection, and home to the curious. With over 230 years of expertise, Bonhams operates a global network of trusted specialists across 24 countries, including flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris and Hong Kong. Across more than 60 specialist categories, Bonhams serves collectors of every kind - from emerging to established — with the objects, stories and expertise that define their collecting journey. Beyond auctions, Bonhams is both a destination for discovery and for industry-leading services and support. Its rotating programme of exhibitions and public programming is free and open to all, reflecting a longstanding commitment to curiosity, cultural conversation and the enduring power of objects.

Fondée en 1793, Bonhams a des représentants dans plus de 30 pays et exploite des salles de vente phares à Londres, New York, Paris, Los Angeles et Hong Kong. En 2022, Bonhams a ajouté quatre maisons de vente aux enchères internationales à son réseau : Bukowskis, Stockholm ; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhague ; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris et Bruxelles ; et Skinner, Massachusetts. Le succès de la stratégie mondiale de Bonhams est le résultat de la reconnaissance de l'évolution de la croissance des achats intercontinentaux et de l'augmentation de l'engagement numérique.