Lot Essay
Henri Auguste was born in Paris in 1759, the son of the celebrated goldsmith Robert-Joseph Auguste. In 1785 Henri succeeded to his father's business and continued to supply numerous commissions for the French Royal household.
After the revolution his workshop carried out commissions for Napolean including an ewer and basin used at his coronation. Despite Imperial patronage his business was declared bankrupt by about 1810, soon after he fled to England after an unsuccessful attempt to smuggle ninety-seven cases of silver out of France. Thereafter he fell into obscurity and died in Haiti in 1816.
These candlesticks relate to the large service made by Henri Auguste in the late 1770's for the Neopolitan Ambassador at the Court of St. James which was sold to the Household of King George III by him on his departure from England in 1801
After the revolution his workshop carried out commissions for Napolean including an ewer and basin used at his coronation. Despite Imperial patronage his business was declared bankrupt by about 1810, soon after he fled to England after an unsuccessful attempt to smuggle ninety-seven cases of silver out of France. Thereafter he fell into obscurity and died in Haiti in 1816.
These candlesticks relate to the large service made by Henri Auguste in the late 1770's for the Neopolitan Ambassador at the Court of St. James which was sold to the Household of King George III by him on his departure from England in 1801