CIRCA 1820, ATTRIBUTED TO PIERRE-PHILIPPE THOMIRE

Pierre-Phillipe Thomire was one of the most celebrated fondeur-doreurs of the Empire period. He established his own workshop in 1776 and quickly established a reputation for finely chased gilt-bronzes, supplying mounts for the ébèniste Jacob Desmalter. Thomire's workshop continued through the Revolution and later gained the patronage of Napoleon, who awarded him the title of ciseleur de l'empereur in 1809 and fournisseur de leurs majesties (Furniture Suppliers to their Majesties) two years later. Thomire relinquished control of the business to his son-in-law in in 1823, and the firm continued to flourish for almost thirty more years until it ceased trading in 1852.