19th Century Bronze female agricultural figure “Glaneuse” by Henri Godet, c.1890

A charming French bronze figure of a young female “Glaneuse”. A Glaneuse (the English word is ‘Gleaner’) is a person who, with the aid of a rake, throws drying harvested hay, grass etc into the air to promote speedier drying out. This example portrays the woman resting on her hay rake, with arms folded, staring off into the distance. She wears a long skirt with bare feet, a sleeveless top with a cowl/hood.

Signed “Glaneuse par H. Godet” and further stamped ‘Salon des Beaux Arts’ under her protruding left foot. There is also a factory stamp and a number 3(?)288.

Henri Godet (1863-1937): was born in Paris. He was prolific and exhibited at the Salon des Artistes in Paris virtually every year from 1886-1913. He worked predominantly in marble, terracotta and bronze, winning many medals along the way.

Dimensions:   Height 13 inches… 23.5cm. Width: 8cm. Depth: 9cm.

Weight: 1.8 kgs

Dated: c.1890-1900.