ADAM'S Country House Collections 15th October 2019

34 Country House Collections 42 A PAIR OF MONUMENTAL FRENCH CAST IRON URNS AND PEDESTALS, AFTER A DESIGN BY CLAUDE BALLIN 1615-1678 19th century, after the originals situated in the Garden of Versailles, each of classical design, with raised side handles, the bodies with sun- masks, above a continuous row of portrait medallions, filled with individual classical figures, on acanthus cast circular feet and rectangular pedestals with stepped bases. Each c.225cm tall in total. Possibly the work of the Val d’Osne Foundry. As the goldsmith of the Kings and king of goldsmiths, Claude Ballin undeniably contributed to the greatness of Versailles and Louis XIV. The firm Val d’Osne was founded in 1835 by J.P.V. André and based at the Val d’Osne in the Haute-Marne. By 1850’s they had achieved in- ternational recognition and exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851. In the London 1857 exhibition they exhibited a large bronze fountain cast with swans and classical figures which further increased their reputation. Many of the best sculptors in Paris were commissioned by André including Carrier-Belleuse, Pradier and Delaplanche. € 6,000 - 10,000 The Original Bronze urns at Versailles The Original design by Ballin