A pair of French patinated bronze figures of muses, attributed to Corneille van Cleve workshop Baroque, circa 1700

cast in high relief, both in a dancing movement, probably depicting Melpomene, shown from the back, holding up a mask, and Terpsichore, with feathered head dress, her attribute, probably a string instrument, missing, on later Patricia Green square marble bases

Related literature:
F. Souchal, French Sculpture of the 17th and 18th centuries - The reign of Louis XIV, vol. III, Oxford 1987, pp. 367ff.
Von allen Seiten schön. Bronzen der Renaissance und des Barock, exh. cat. Berlin 1995, pp. 584-585, no. 227.

In overall good condition with some minor dents, marks, scratches and wear to the patination. Rims of bases partly repatinated. One with modern attachment to the reverse. Probably wanting attributes. Originally probably forming part of a pair of chenets.
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The sculptor Corneille van Cleve (circa 1644-1732) decends from a family of Flemish goldsmiths which had emigrated to France in the early 17th century. Although little is known about Corneille's early training, he is thought to have worked under either Michel or Francois Anguier and to have spent several years in Rome as a pensionnaire of the King. In 1720 he succeeded Coysevox as Chancellor of the Academy. During his long and successful career he particularly worked at Versailles, but also at other Royal and aristocratic residences.

Although the present reliefs cannot be directly attributed to Corneille van Cleve, they show close stylistic affinities with several of his works (compare Souchal, op. cit., and Von allen Seiten schön, op. cit.).