Lot 42
42
AN EMPIRE ORMOLU NINE-LIGHT CENTREPIECE
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more THE PROPERTY OF A PRIVATE EUROPEAN COLLECTOR (LOTS 41-49)
AN EMPIRE ORMOLU NINE-LIGHT CENTREPIECE

ATTRIBUTED TO PIERRE-PHILIPPE THOMIRE, CIRCA 1810

Details
AN EMPIRE ORMOLU NINE-LIGHT CENTREPIECE
ATTRIBUTED TO PIERRE-PHILIPPE THOMIRE, CIRCA 1810
Modelled with three classically draped and winged maidens holding aloft an open basket issuing scrolling branches modelled as swans and supporting vase-shaped nozzles, on a circular spreading base with a central urn-shaped finial, decorated in relief with flaming tazze and scrolling foliage, above a leaf-tip cast circular plinth and turned feet, the candle-branches contemporary but probably associated, the central urn lacking further element
22¾ in. (57 cm.) high; 18 in. (46 cm.) diameter
Provenance
King Umberto II of Italy, from whom purchased by the grandfather of the present owner.
Literature
R. Guedes, Reais Mesas do Norte de Portugal, Lisbon, 1997, 'Mesa Casa de Saboia', pp. 22-29.
Exhibited
Porto, Alfândega, Reais Mesas do Norte de Portugal, 1995.
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

Many special commissions were placed with Thomire and clients visited his workshop to choose various different pieces to form such a centrepiece or indeed other pieces of bronzes d'ameublement. This has resulted in many variations of these surtout and a related, though slightly later one, is in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London (illustrated H. Ottomeyer, P. Pröschel et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol.I, p.387, fig.5.16.12).

More from Important European Furniture, Sculpture and Carpets

View All
View All