19TH CENTURY

The griffins depicted on this fender first appeared as a decorative furniture motif in antiquity, becoming popular once again in Europe, at the end of the 18th century through the beginning of the 19th century. This legendary creature, with the body and head of a lion, beak and wings of an eagle, and a serpent's tale, was rumored to build nests of gold upon which it guarded eggs of agate. Symbolizing strength and vigilance, griffins support the base of an important gueridon attributed to Thomire illustrated in A. Michel, Musie Nissim de Camondo, Paris, 1991, p.63. A similar fender, with winged griffins on stepped plinths applied with anthemion motifs and scrolling supports was sold, Christie's London, 14 September 2006, lot 179.