MID-18TH CENTURY

These chenets with figures of Venus and Vulcan were probably inspired by the celebrated model by Jacques Caffieri, of which an example is in the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle (see H. Ottomeyer/P.Pröschel, Vergöldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. I, pl 113, fig. 2.4.5. The Livre Journal of the marchand-mercier Lazare Duvaux for December 1955, under no. 2287 to Monsieur de Presle lists, Un gros feu d'or representent Venus et Vulcan. Another related pair purchased in Paris in 1725 by Carl William Friedrich, Margrave of Ansbach, is in the Residenz, Ansbach. A closely related pair of chenets was sold anonymously Christie's London, 9 December 1993, lot 80, and another pair sold anonymously Christie's New York, 21 November 1997, lot 135.