Attribué à Claude GALLE (1759-1815) Pair of finely chased and gilded bronze torches decorated with three female figures wearing crowns of flowers. The base is decorated with stars and trophies, and the shaft is alternately gadrooned and friezed with palmettes. The spigot with grained foliage. Empire period, circa 1807-1810. H. 31.5 cm. Claude Galle delivered several models topped with female busts for the imperial furniture guard. There are many variations with Diana or Egyptian busts, but it is interesting to note here that the female busts are not depicted in antique style, but rather in Empire-style outfits with flower crowns, necklaces and pearl earrings. Bibliography: J-P. Samoyault, "Musée National de Fontainebleau, Catalogue des Collections de Mobilier, Pendules et Bronzes d'Ameublement entés sous le Premier Empire", Paris, 1989, no. 155, p. 175.