CIRCA 1785

Several models of chenets with sphinx exist, dating from the 1780's. An example with winged sphinxes with similarly-tied headresses and with similar female mask centering the frieze, attributed to either Pierre Gouthière or Pierre-Philippe Thomire, exists in several versions in the Louvre, Versailles and the Cleveland Museum of Art (see H. Ottomeyer/P. Pröschel et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol.I, p.276, fig. 4.11.4.). This model is based on a drawing by the architect François-Joseph Bélanger in the Bibliothèque Nationale, illustrated op. cit., fig. 4.11.13. Another type of sphinx chenet, lacking wings but with similar female mask frieze, is at the château de Versailles, the sphinx modelled by Louis-Simon Boizot, the ciselure by Thomire and the gilding by Claude Galle (illustrated Ottomeyer and Pröschel op. cit., fig.4.11.7.).