Bruchon statuettes.

[Hazlinny]

On behalf of a friend, can anyone please give info.on two statuettes in her possession, one a lady holding fruits, the other holding fleurs. They are on wooden bases and have what looks like Bruchon written on the back.

[Buenchico]

You've told us what the base is made of but omitted to mention what the figures are made of. (My guess is either bronze or spelter).

If they're original works by Emile Bruchon (who was sculpting, in France, at the end of the 19th century and in the early years of the 20th century) they might be worth a few hundred pounds each. (However, figures which are allegedly by Bruchon seem to be attracting no bids on eBay at the moment, despite having starting figures of under one hundred pounds each).

It would be worth taking them to a decent auctioneer for a (free) valuation. (Most people seem to think that you have to queue for hours at the Antiques Roadshow in order to get antiques valued free of charge. I've never had a problem with getting such a valuation, with no queueing at all, by simply walking into an auctioneer's premises, including both Sotheby's and Bonhams - where my items were valued by one of the Antiques Roadshow presenters anyway!).

Chris

[Buenchico]

Additional:
I've just found a web reference to a piece by Bruchon selling for US $2400 in 2009, but the same page reported that three other pieces failed to meet their reserves, and remained unsold.

From the (few) antiques auctions I've attended in the last year or two, I would definitely say that Art Nouveau is nowhere near as popular with buyers as it was around 15 years ago (when I was attending plenty of auctions). That might be down to changing fashions or it could simply be that there are so many fakes around that buyers are wary of bidding at all.

[Hazlinny]

Many thanks for the helpful information. My friend "thinks" they are bronze and they have been in her possession for a long time. I will certainly forward your comments to her.