Category: Bronze

Cassolettes in ormolu and patinated bronze. Mostly from around 1800. Used to burn potpourri.

Pair of cassolettes, each cast as an oil lamp with an eagle’s head finial on a circular plinth. ca. 1795. Directoire. Ormolu and patinated bronze. Image © Christie’s 2021. Fair use license. via https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/collector-english-european-furniture-ceramics-silver-works-art/pair-directoire-ormolu-patinated-bronze-cassolettes-1/114915
Pair of cassolettes, each one raised on a triform white marble base, the base bordered with ormolu, raised on a molded ormolu step above three toupie feet and set to the center with an elaborate ormolu foliate finial. The base of each cassolette supporting three patinated legs, each leg modeled as an elongated cartyatid that terminates in a hoof foot with the legs supporting the bowl of the vase. The rim of each bowl finished with a pierced ormolu frieze and topped with a flat cover which is in turn surmounted by an elaborate ormolu finial comprised of a an abandance of fruit and foliage. Late 19th c. in the Louis XVI style. French. Ormolu, patinated bronze and white marble. Henry Dasson, maker (1825-1895). Maker’s marks: signed “Henry Dasson” to the base of each. Image v© 2021 Mayfair Gallery Limited. Fair use license. via https://www.mayfairgallery.com/pair-gilt-patinated-bronze-cassolettes-dasson

Pair of baluster form cassolettes, the ring-adorned waisted neck mounted with foliate swans, the stiff-leaf cast lip headed by a domed lid with pinecone finial flanked by winged putti blowing dolphin-headed horns and resting on scrolled paired lion supports above a circular fluted base with foliate-cast edge. ca. 1785-1790. French. Attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire. Image © Christie’s 2021, Fair use license. via https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5103945

Jardiniere with putti . .. a bit of fun and frolic for your plants.

Flambe glazed ceramic jardinière with gilt bronze mounts. French. Maker’s marks for Luneville which been in business since 1711. Image © 2002-2021 LiveAuctioneers. Fair use license. via https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/98408403_beautiful-19th-century-french-jardiniere
Parian bisque jardinière modeled as a basket with with relief figures of putti, Oval base strewn with rose flowers. Antique. 19th c. Maker not known. Incised #4 mark under the base. Image © 2021 French Garden House. Fair use license. via https://frenchgardenhouse.com/item_6207/Estate-19th-Century-Parian-Bisque-Cherub-Jardiniere-Putti-Basket.htm
Jardinière with an openwork troughed body carried by four putti figures with three-dimensional rose branches. and the handles with lateral laurel wreaths with bows. Porcelain with polychrome painting and a gold rim. ca. 1907-1927. German. C. G. Schierholz and Son, maker. Maker’s marks: manufacturers mark “Thuringia. Plaue. C. G. Schierholz & Son.” Image © Very Important Lot. Fair use license. via https://veryimportantlot.com/en/lot/view/jardiniere-mit-putten-394695
Decorative vintage brass baroque jardiniere with putti – Italy – ca.1970 Brass or bronze jardinière with putti. ca. 1970. Baroque in style.; Italian. Image © 2021 Catawiki. Fair use license. via https://www.catawiki.com/l/8606717-decorative-vintage-brass-or-bronze-baroque-jardiniere-with-putti-italy-ca-1970

Ostensoir. These are used in the worship tradition of several Christian churches. Here because I think the different ways the rays are modeled is interesting. One that is 19th century and the others are brand new.

Grand ostensoir decorated with vines, ears of white and cherubs. Crowned with a crown which forms a canopy above a representation of God the Father who is surrounded by a cloud with the rays of the sun in gilded bronze. From the treasure of the Capuchin friars of Bruges. mid19th c. Belgian. Sterling silver and vermeil. Image © Ian Panné and proantic.com. Fair use license. via https://www.proantic.com/display.php?mode=obj&id=738039

Ostensoir in gilded bronze and sterling silver. 2021. Image © Michel Finet. Fair use license. via https://www.michel-finet.com/ostensoir/855-ostensoir.html

Ostensoir. 2021. Image © Louis-Guillaume Piéchaud. Fair use license. via http://www.piechaud-orfevre.fr/orfevrerie-liturgique/

A few little things to keep around the house, gilt bronze by Henri Picard whose cast and gilded decorative pieces was very fashionable in Paris between 1831 and 1864. He created a great many decorative objects for Emperor Napoleon III.

Gilded and chiseled bronze navette form jewelry box in the shape of a gadrooned shuttle enhanced with a row of pearls, cornucopia medallion with the bust of a young woman and foliated volutes. Surmounted on the lied by a small winged angel, allegory of love showing a flaming heart decorated with bows and arrows, flower crown and fire pot. Purple silk interior. 1831-1864. French. Henri Picard. Image © Antiquités David Balzeau & Pascale Brion and proantic.com. Fair use license. via https://www.proantic.com/display.php?mode=obj&id=723122





Cachepot, or jardinière in Sèvres style painted porcelain with gilt bronze ormolu mounts. The cylindrical porcelain body of the cachepot, rising from a waisted stem, is painted in the round with a Rococo style scene of putti hunting in an idyllic landscape. The porcelain having a “bleu celeste” ground with parcel gilt with chased intertwined leaves and jeweled with red and white enamel. The body mounted with an ormolu rim from which springs twin geometrical ormolu handles, each terminating in a cherub mask. The cachepot being supported by a square ormolu base, the surface of which is richly detailed, featuring draped and tasseled fabric, rosettes to each corner, and pinecone finials. Four square toupie feet. 1831-1864. French. Henri Picard. Maker’s marks: the ormolu is stamped “H. Picard’ underneath. Image © 2021 Mayfair Gallery Limited.. Fair use license. via https://www.mayfairgallery.com/sevres-style-porcelain-ormolu-cachepot-by-picard







Gilt bronze centerpiece in the Rococo taste. Navette form with reticulated basketweave, foliate handles, floral swags and a removable lead liner. ca. 1850. French. Henri Picard, maker. Maker’s marks: stamped “H. Picard” and numbered “3814.”  Image © 2002-2021 LiveAuctioneers and Neal Auction Company. Fair use license. via https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/64563869_henri-picard-gilt-bronze-centerpiece





Rococo style gilt bronze casket centerpiece. Navette form with reticulated basket weave, foliate handles, floral swags and two seated putti. Removable lead liner. ca. 1860. French. Henri Picard. Marked on the underside. Image © 2021 Bidsquare Inc.  and Solomon Treasure. Fair use license. via https://www.bidsquare.com/online-auctions/solomon-treasure/a-fine-french-rococo-ormolu-bronze-basket-centerpiece-with-putti-henri-picard-1439772

	


	



			
				


			

			
Silver wine trolleys. Just the thing if the sommelier just resigned and the butler can’t fill in.
		
	
	

		

Wine serving trolley with two bowls atop the handled cart. ca. 1920. English. Silver plate. Image © 2002-2021 LiveAuctioneers. Fair use license. via https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/97889804_english-silverplate-wine-serving-trolley





Wine trolley formed as a chariot, the sides with beaded borders above applied and engraved grapevine. The reverse engraved with Bacchus seated on a barrel engraved with the initials “AM” and raising a glass, all raised on two large back wheels decorated wtih flowers and foliage and centered with lion marks. Small front wheel on fixed double-scroll axel headed by an open-mouthed lion head and a twisted strap handle. ca. 1885. French. Silver. Maker’s marks: The body with a maker’s mark and French control mark. Front axel with a French control mark. Made in Paris by Fray Fils. Image © 2020 Sotheby’s. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2010/19th-century-furniture-sculpture-ceramics-silver-and-works-of-art-n08627/lot.36.html





Silver plated wine trolley with two cut-glass decanters. 19th c. English. Maker not known. Image © 2021 Heritage Auctions. Fair use license. via https://fineart.ha.com/itm/silver-and-vertu/hollowware/an-english-silver-plated-wine-trolley-with-two-cut-glass-decanters-19th-century14-h-x-16-3-4-w-x-6-3-8-d-inches-356-x-4-total-/a/5281-61832.s





Wine trolley adorned with a grapevine motif. ca. 1890. French. Silver plate over bronze. Christofle, maker. Maker’s marks for “CHRFISTOFLE”. Image © 1stdibs.com, Inc. 2021. Fair use license. via https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/dining-entertaining/sheffield-silverplate/christofle-silver-plate-wine-trolley/id-f_11377261/

	


	



			
				


			

			
Gilt bronze sphinxes. Various times as the fashion for Egyptian/Egyptian Revival inspired decorations never really goes away.
		
	
	

		

Gilt bronze sphinxes on later Levanto Rosso marble rectangular bases. 19th c. Empire. Maker not known. Image © 2021 Sotheby’s. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/true-connoisseurship-the-collection-of-ezra-cecile-zilkha/a-pair-of-empire-gilt-bronze-sphinxes-19th-century





Bronze sphinxes mounted on Russian malachite bases. Early 20th c. Image © 1stdibs.com, Inc. 2021. Fair use license. via https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/decorative-objects/sculptures/pair-of-antique-egyptian-sphinx-sculptures/id-f_869117/?gclid=CjwKCAiAjp6BBhAIEiwAkO9WuvCPaDz1Cqd4BpFMem0gRknFf7ZHvgwAIJ54Wozs94fLH61I1VTQ-BoCLccQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds





Madame de Pompadour depicted as a large gilt sphinx.Probably a store or lobby decorative display item. 1930s-1950s in the style of Louis XV. Composition. Image © 1stdibs.com, Inc. 2021. Fair use license. via https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/decorative-objects/sculptures/figurative-sculptures/madame-pompadour-depicted-as-large-gilt-sphinx/id-f_4698023/?gclid=CjwKCAiAjp6BBhAIEiwAkO9WungrSwr4y6Gzc9Q5fpNkbKapq_ZifafAFXYk2Cs8f8pJK941f-pEmhoCygEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds





Pen shell inlaid brass sphinx. Undated. Scarborough House. Image © 2021 Chairish, Inc. Fair use license. via https://www.chairish.com/product/2657785/scarborough-house-penshell-inlaid-brass-sphinx?gclid=CjwKCAiAjp6BBhAIEiwAkO9Wuo3BtefQxCxjnFjL0uNMxleIWuZodenyVrXZ9wQ2Pz3_4uh2nvjHbBoCH6oQAvD_BwE





Cast gilt bronze chenets modeled as sphinxes that feather a rich blue rocaille cartouche with fleur de lys. Based on a pair of sphinx chenets made ca. 1710 Guillaume de Grof (1680-1742) who was patronized by King Louis XIV. 1850-1899. French. Image © 2021 Chairish, Inc. Fair use license. via https://www.chairish.com/product/2618327/pair-of-19th-century-gilt-bronze-sphinx-chenets-with-fleur-de-lys-cartouche

	


	



			
				


			

			
More automotive mascots from the turn of the last century. Selections from a recent Bonhams catalog. Lots of fun.
		
	
	

		

“Circus Poodle” mascot modeled as a nickel plated bronze dog balanced on a ball. Set on a black painted wooden display case. 1920s. French. B. L. Laurent, maker. Image © Bonhams 2001-2021. Fair use license. via https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26958/lot/26/?category=list&length=12&page=3





Chrome plated “Icarus” mascot on a chrome radiator cap. 1930s. Image © Bonhams 2001-2021. Fair use license. via https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26958/lot/32/?category=list&length=12&page=3






 “Prouesse” mascot designed for Rubray cars. 1920s. French. Charles Soudant, designer for Rubray Cars. Signed “h. Soudnat.” A large bronze of this design was displayed in the 1907 Salon held at Madison Square Gardens, New York, where Rothschild had the largest exhibit featuring seven superb automobiles. This impressive piece was created by the Parisian master sculptor Charles Soudant for Leon Rubay, who later used the design as a car mascot to grace his own range of Rubay cars in USA from 1916-1923. Rubay started offering car bodies from 1907 when he teamed with Rothschild & Company.  Image © Bonhams 2001-2021. Fair use license. via https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26958/lot/33/?category=list&length=12&page=3





 “Cigone Parisienne” mascot that was exclusively produced for clients of the Garage Saint Didier, Paris. 1920s. Nickel-plated bronze, further inscribed around the base including H. Briand Foundry details. Black painted wooden display base. E. Fady, maker.  Image © Bonhams 2001-2021. Fair use license. via https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26958/lot/29/?category=list&length=12&page=3





“Spirit of Triumph” mascot.  Nickel plated on a marble display base.  1920s. French. F. Bazin, creator. Image © Bonhams 2001-2021. Fair use license. via https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26958/lot/36/?category=list&length=12&page=3

	


	



			
				


			

			
Gilt-bronze candelabra by French masters of the art. All from around 1800
		
	
	

		

Pair of  gilt and patinated bronze figural three light candelabra, one with the figure of cupid and the other with a nymph, both seated on naturalistic rock-work bases, the elaborate acanthus and scrolling rosette candle arms with Egyptian head terminals. The arms with foliate and lotus tapering nozzles and flared palmette and leafy beady swept collars and issuing from central naturalistic acanthus wheatsheaf and flowering lily naturalistic finials. Bow fronted plinths with applied frolicking putti friezes in the manner of Clodio and milled side panels above fruiting laurel garlanded pendant mounts on acanthus and beaded bases. ca. 1785. French. Gilt and patinated bronze with rouge griotte marble bases. Gilt bronze mounts attributed to Francois Réymond. After models by Etienne-Maurice Falconet (1716-1791). Image 
 © Bonhams 2001-2021. Fair use license. via https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/25946/lot/48/?category=list&length=108&page=1






Pair of gilt bronze figural candelabra, each being styled with two nymphs covered with floral swags raising three candle sconces formed of  buds and open flowers of carnations ‘tied’ at the base with drapes. Standing on oval bases with olive branch border mounts and acanthus leaves, on corresponding reeded toupie feet. ca. 1820. French. In the manner of Étienne-Maurice Falconet after a design by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin. Image © 2019 Lyon & Turnbull. Fair use license. via https://www.lyonandturnbull.com/news/article/in-the-manner-of-tienne-maurice-falconet/

	


	



			
				


			

			
Letter openers from the old days. So much prettier than an email account.
		
	
	

		

Gilt-metal and agate letter opener, with a shaped blade pierced with masks and foliate motifs below a cast dragon and a tapering handle inset with agates below gilt-metal beasts. ca. 1880. Scottish. Attributed to Hamilton, Crichton and Company of Edinburgh. Image © 2020 Sotheby’s. Fair use license. via https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/stone-ii/a-scottish-gilt-metal-and-agate-letter-opener





Silver-gilt and jeweled letter opener in the motif of a dagger in a decorative sheath. Silver-gilt mounts, teal guilloché enamel in the sheath. Large agate beads, seed pearls a turquoise color cabochon on the top of the hilt with applied scrolling decorations, engraving and tiny bits of nephrite or green glass. Antique. No marks found. Image © Aspire Auctions. Fair use license. via https://www.aspireauctions.com/#!/catalog/340/1665/lot/66074





Guilloché enamel and silver letter opener. Agate blade with the horse head shaped top having pearl, ruby and gilt highlights. Before 1917. Russian. Maker’s marks: “MHI” and “88”. Image © 1986-2020 Invaluable, LLC and Concept Art Gallery, Pittsburgh. Fair use license. via https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/russian-guilloche-enamel-and-agate-letter-opener-139-c-0b4493d9b6#

	


	



			
				


			

			
Art Déco women frozen for life and never getting to stand up. Figurines for your coffee table done by Ferdinand Preiss of Germany who lived from 1882 to 1943.
		
	
	

		

“Dreams.” Figure in ivory of a kneeling beauty in a thoughtful, contemplative mood, the surface having excellent hand-carved details. Raised on a green onyx and black marble pyramid base. 1925. Art Déco. German. Ivory, onyx and marble. Maker’s marks: Signed “F Preiss on the back. Image © 2020, Hickmet Fine Arts. Fair use license. via https://hickmet.com/collections/art-deco/products/ferdinand-preiss-dreams-1?mc_cid=1388bf4aac&mc_eid=b7f6cf8664





“Girl on Wall.” Gilt and patinated bronze figure of a girl sitting on an alabaster base. ca. 1925. Art Déco. German. Gilt and patinated bronze and alabaster. Maker’s marks: Foundry mark for Preiss and Kassler. Image © Bonhams 2001-2020. Fair use license. via https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/16799/lot/183/





Figurine of a woman modeled in ivory with a fawn modeled in patinated bronze sitting on an onyx and black glass base.  Undated. Art Déco. German. Ivory, patinated bronze, onyx and black glass. Maker’s marks: Engraved “F. Preiss.” Image © 2020 Auction house Lempertz. Fair use license. via https://www.lempertz.com/en/catalogues/lot/1056-2/1237-a-berlin-cryselephantine-figure-of-a-woman-with-a-fawn.html