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Lot Essay
Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843), the most celebrated bronzier-ciseleur of the Empire period, was born into a family of ciseleurs. He worked initially for the renowned bronziers Pierre Gouthire (1732-1813) and Jean-Louis Prieur (d. circa 1785-1790), ciseleur-doreur du roi. Thomire established his own workshop in 1776 and quickly established a reputation for finely chased gilt-bronzes, supplying mounts for the ébéniste Jacob Desmalter.
Thomire's workshop continued through the Revolution and in 1804, he purchased the business of Martin-Eloy Lignereux, a marchand-mercier. This greatly expanded his establishment, as it allowed him to sell furniture and Sèvres porcelain that could be mounted with ormolu from his workshops in a addition to the wide range of objects it already produced such as candelabra, surtouts de table, clocks, vases and chenets.
Thomire's atelier soon gained the patronage of Napoleon , who awarded him the title of ciseleur de l'empereur in 1809 and fournisseur de leurs majesties (Furniture Suppliers to their Majesties) two years later. Thomire relinquished control of the business to his son-in-law in in 1823, and the firm continued to flourish for almost thirty more years until ceasing to trade in 1852.
Related examples to the offered lot can be seen in H. Ottomeyer and P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Vol I, Munich, 1986, pp. 386-389, figs 5.16 9-5.16.18. A closely related centerpiece sold anonymously, Christie's, New York, 21 November 2008, lot 12 and a surtout de table sold anonymously, Christie's, New York, 18 May 2006, lot 723.
Thomire's workshop continued through the Revolution and in 1804, he purchased the business of Martin-Eloy Lignereux, a marchand-mercier. This greatly expanded his establishment, as it allowed him to sell furniture and Sèvres porcelain that could be mounted with ormolu from his workshops in a addition to the wide range of objects it already produced such as candelabra, surtouts de table, clocks, vases and chenets.
Thomire's atelier soon gained the patronage of Napoleon , who awarded him the title of ciseleur de l'empereur in 1809 and fournisseur de leurs majesties (Furniture Suppliers to their Majesties) two years later. Thomire relinquished control of the business to his son-in-law in in 1823, and the firm continued to flourish for almost thirty more years until ceasing to trade in 1852.
Related examples to the offered lot can be seen in H. Ottomeyer and P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Vol I, Munich, 1986, pp. 386-389, figs 5.16 9-5.16.18. A closely related centerpiece sold anonymously, Christie's, New York, 21 November 2008, lot 12 and a surtout de table sold anonymously, Christie's, New York, 18 May 2006, lot 723.