Bénédicte van Campen, Bonhams' Senior International Specialist, said: "Together, these sculptures form a compelling dialogue: abstraction versus expression, stillness versus motion, timelessness versus fleeting life. Through bronze or stone, and form, Pompon and Bugatti remind us that the boundary between human and animal experience is far more porous and more profound than it might first appear."

François Pompon (1855-1933) is celebrated for his refined simplification of form. His animals, reduced to smooth, essential volumes, embody a sense of calm permanence. An iconic polar bear realised in 1926 and made of Lens stone is estimated at €180,000 - 250,000. Another highlights of the bronzes, all from a unique private collection, is Hippopotame (hippopotamus) a bronze with a brown and dark-brown patina, conceived in 1922 and is the first unnumbered proof of three, cast in 1923 by Hébrard (estimate: €50,000 - 70,000). There is also Dromadaire (camel) made of bronze with a brown patina nuanced with green, conceived in 1906 and cast between 1923 and 1930 by C. Valsuani (estimate: €15,000 - 20,000) is followed by a Grue couronnée (A crowned crane on move), conceived in 1927 and cast during the artist's lifetime by C. Valsuani (estimate: €18,000 - 25,000).

Rembrandt Bugatti's (1884-1916) sculptures pulse with life and psychological depth. Rembrandt Bugatti developed a deep fascination with the world of birds, observing with particular interest pelicans, flamingos, marabous, and storks among many others. He held a special affection for large migratory wading birds, especially storks, which he regularly fed at the Antwerp Zoo. Conceived and executed circa 1907, the sale includes a unique piece entitled Cigogne en marche (Stork walking) signed and inscribed 'R. Bugatti / pièce unique' and stamped with the foundry mark 'A.A. Hébrard Cire Perdue', bronze with a nuanced polychrome patina in shades of brown (estimate: €600,000 - 800,000). Also included is a fine quality, early twentieth century rare bronze model of Deux vaches se suivant, l'une broute en marchant (Two cows walking one behind the other; one is grazing as it walks) by Rembrandt Bugatti is signed and dated 'RBugatti 1901' (estimate: €50,000 - 70,000). This is the only known example of this version.

Other highlights included :

• Salvador Dalí (1904-1989), Tête de boeuf, signed, dedicated and dated 'Pour Monsieur Billard / Hommage de / Dalí 1966', felt-tip pen on a painted papier-mâché mask, painted in 1966 (estimate: €8,000 - 12,000). This work comes from the former collection of Lucien Billard, a director of photography who regularly collaborated with Jean-Christophe Averty (1928–2017), director of Salvador Dalí's film "Autoportrait mou", co-directed with Robert Descharnes (1926–2014), filmed during the summer of 1966 in Port Lligat and released in 1969.

• Giorgio De Chirico (1888-1978), Cavallo in un paese, oil on paper laid on canvas, painted circa 1955 (estimate: €20,000-30,000)

• Moïse Kisling (1891-1953), Sans titre (Nu couché), oil on canvas painted in 1917 (estimate: €100,000-150,000)

• Léopold Survage (1879-1968), Ville, oil on canvas painted 1920 (estimate: €60,000-80,000)

• Jean Metzinger (1883-1956), Portrait de Louise Luquet, oil on canvas signed 'Metzinger', painted in 1942 (estimate: €50,000-70,000). From the Luquet collection, this portrait of Louise Luquet, a friend of the Metzinger family, is a rediscovery.

• Aristide Maillol (1861-1944), Grande Femme à genoux sans bras, bronze (estimate : €200,000 – 300,000).

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