.jpg?w=1)
拍品专文
Born in Copenhagen in 1808, celebrated silversmith Frédéric-Jules Rudolphi studied in Vienna, Berlin and London, before settling in Paris in 1835. From 1840 he collaborated with Carl Wagner, taking over the latter's atelier on his premature death two years later. His distinctive oeuvre is often defined by a luxurious mix of hardstone, semi-precious stones and damascene in collaboration with celebrated modelers and engravers such as Geoffroy-Dechaume, Edouard Verraux and Jules and Alexandre Plouin. Rudolphi's work - a variety of caskets, nécessaires, clocks, encriers and small items of furniture - was shown for the first time and awarded a gold medal at the 1844 Paris Exposition des Produits de l'Industrie française.
Individual pieces by Rudolphi appear at auction relatively infrequently and are preserved in many museum collections, emphasizing the rarity and quality of this encrier and other works. Influenced by the early 18th century Renaissance revival creations, the chased silver, enameling and lustrous mother-of-pearl insets illustrate the richness of materials that characterizes Rudolphi's best work and sets him apart from many of his contemporaries. Design elements on the present encrier, notably the frieze of entwined woodland animals and salamanders, relate closely to a jewel casket sold Sotheby’s, New York, 21 October 2009, lot 44 ($53,125). A necessaire by Rudolphi sold Christie’s, New York, 29 October 2002, lot 10 ($59,750).
Rudolphi attracted a distinguished clientele, among whom were English and European royalty. His creations were particularly appreciated in England and between 1844 and 1855. Five objects - three vases and two caskets - were acquired for the future Victoria and Albert Museum and count among the museum’s earliest acquisitions. Further examples of his work include a sumptuous pendule-écritoire acquired by the Louvre in 1999, a vase created in collaboration with Wagner with depicting life of Saint Louis in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and jewel casket in the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Individual pieces by Rudolphi appear at auction relatively infrequently and are preserved in many museum collections, emphasizing the rarity and quality of this encrier and other works. Influenced by the early 18th century Renaissance revival creations, the chased silver, enameling and lustrous mother-of-pearl insets illustrate the richness of materials that characterizes Rudolphi's best work and sets him apart from many of his contemporaries. Design elements on the present encrier, notably the frieze of entwined woodland animals and salamanders, relate closely to a jewel casket sold Sotheby’s, New York, 21 October 2009, lot 44 ($53,125). A necessaire by Rudolphi sold Christie’s, New York, 29 October 2002, lot 10 ($59,750).
Rudolphi attracted a distinguished clientele, among whom were English and European royalty. His creations were particularly appreciated in England and between 1844 and 1855. Five objects - three vases and two caskets - were acquired for the future Victoria and Albert Museum and count among the museum’s earliest acquisitions. Further examples of his work include a sumptuous pendule-écritoire acquired by the Louvre in 1999, a vase created in collaboration with Wagner with depicting life of Saint Louis in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and jewel casket in the Philadelphia Museum of Art.