Empire Candlesticks Circa 1820 Stamped Gf Gérard-jean Galle (1788-1846) Gilt Bronze

Candlesticks France Empire circa 1820 stamped GF Gérard-Jean Galle (1788-1846) Bronze, fire-gilded Height 27.5 cm 1.28 kg The pair of candlesticks bears the hallmark "GF": monogram of the very famous bronzier Gérard-Jean Galle (1788-1846), son and successor of the great bronzier Claude Galle (1758-1815). Gérard-Jean Galle (1788-1846) Gérard-Jean Galle, eldest son of the famous bronzier Claude Galle (1759-1815), took over the family business on rue Vivienne after his father's death. He quickly proved that he could maintain his excellent reputation. He is considered one of the best in Paris and frequented by an elite clientele. His clients include the Duke of Richelieu, the Marquis de Martel and the Viscount de la Rochefoucauld. Gérard-Jean and his younger brother Jean-Auguste were trained by their father but joined the army after completing their apprenticeship. Gérard proved to be a brilliant soldier and was knighted in 1815. In 1810, Claude Galle asked the Emperor to release his sons from the army so that they could run the family business. In 1815, Napoleon lost his power and Claude Galle died. Gérard's mother-in-law temporarily took over. Shortly after, Gérard-Jean returned home and took over the family business. Later, in 1819, Gérard won a silver medal at the Exposition de l'Industrie for an exceptional collection of bronzes, consisting mainly of lamps and clock cases. He supplied the latter to some of the best Parisian clockmakers, including Bourdier. Gérard-Jean Galle also specialized in the manufacture of clocks and the candelabra that accompany them, at least two of which are in Stockholm Castle. Inv.no.0.899 €1,900