ATTRIBUTED TO PIERRE-PHILLIPE THOMIRE, CIRCA 1815

Details

AN EMPIRE ORMOLU CENTREPIECE
ATTRIBUTED TO PIERRE-PHILLIPE THOMIRE, CIRCA 1815
The pierced basket supported by three maidens, one holding a cornucopia, another ears of corn, above a cylindrical base mounted with fruiting swags and floral baskets
26 in. (66 cm.) high

Special notice

Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a filled square not collected from Christie’s by 5.00 pm on the day of the sale will, at our option, be removed to Cadogan Tate. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Cadogan Tate Ltd. All collections will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

Brought to you by

Alexandra Cruden

acruden@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2566

Lot Essay

The present centrepiece relates closely to the oeuvre of the celebrated ciseleur-doreur Pierre Philippe Thomire (1751-1843) and several variations on this model - featuring putti or female figures holding aloft a pierced basket - supplied by him are illustrated in H. Ottomeyer & P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Münich, 1989, II, p. 384-387. Thomire trained as a sculptor under Houdon and was apprenticed to the foremost ciseleur Pierre Gouthière. He established his workshop in 1776 and worked at the Sèvres porcelain factory to provide ormolu mounts from 1783. He established a new business under the name ‘Thomire, Duterme et Cie’ in 1804, was made ciseleur de l’Empereur in 1809 and retired in 1823.

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