Lot 20
20
A PAIR OF LOUIS XV GILT-BRONZE STIRRUPS, each with foliate-wrapped reeded shaped C-scroll ring, the waved laurel-swagged arch cast with C-scroll balusters and confronting C-scrolls and terminating in a rockwork cabochon, the pierced tread with central lozenge within a scrolled strapwork border, above a waved laurel-swagged C-scroll and acanthus shaped base

Details
A PAIR OF LOUIS XV GILT-BRONZE STIRRUPS, each with foliate-wrapped reeded shaped C-scroll ring, the waved laurel-swagged arch cast with C-scroll balusters and confronting C-scrolls and terminating in a rockwork cabochon, the pierced tread with central lozenge within a scrolled strapwork border, above a waved laurel-swagged C-scroll and acanthus shaped base
6in. (15cm.) wide; 7¾in. (19.5cm.) high; 5in. (12.5cm.) deep (2)
Provenance
Sir Philip Sassoon, Bt., 25 Park Lane, W.1., recorded in the Large Drawing Room in the pre-1927 inventory and in 1939
Literature
Exhibited
London, 25 Park Lane, W.1., Three French Reigns, February 21 - April 5 1933, no. 498 (Catalogue, p. 69)

Lot Essay

These ceremonial stirrups are related to those in the State Gift of Louis XIV to Charles XI of Sweden. Presented during negotiations on the subject of Swedish support for an attack Louis XIV was planning on Holland, consolidated by the alliance treaty of 1672, this magnificient gift was commissioned shortly after the arrival of the new French Ambassador to Sweden, Isaac Pas de Feuquières, and the ceremonial presentation took place on 12 December in 1673. The gift comprised twelve of the finest horses from the Royal Stable, all fitted with saddles, caparisons, guns and pistols of the finest craftsmanship, worthy of both the King giving them and the King receiving (see M. Conforti and G. Walton, 'Sweden, A Royal Treasury', Exhibition Catalogue, Washington, 1988, cat. 51)

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