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Lot Essay
These vases are almost identical to a pair in the Louvre, Paris, which have recently been published by D. Alcouffe et al., Gilt Bronzes in the Louvre, Dijon, 2004, no.138, pp.276-7. Inspired by antique prototypes, their dancing bacchantes are drawn from a bas-relief from the Borghese Collection which had been acquired by Napoleon for the Louvre in 1807. In overall form, they relate to an Odiot tea urn executed for a member of Napoleon's entourage and depicted in Robert Lefeèvres portrait of the goldsmith in 1822. This basic model, intitially executed as early as 1801 by Odiot, was also reinterpreted by Thomire for clocks, such as that in the Spanish Royal Collection (Colon de Carvajal, Los Relojes, Madrid, 1987, no.142).
Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843) studied under both the 18th century sculptors Pajou and Houdon and the bronzier Gouthière. By the early 19th century he had become famous for his gilt-bronze furniture mounts, clocks, candelabra and other table decorations. One of the most successful of the Empire period, the firm flourished long after his most famous patron Napoleon left France. From 1819 the company was known simply as Thomire & Compagnie.
Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843) studied under both the 18th century sculptors Pajou and Houdon and the bronzier Gouthière. By the early 19th century he had become famous for his gilt-bronze furniture mounts, clocks, candelabra and other table decorations. One of the most successful of the Empire period, the firm flourished long after his most famous patron Napoleon left France. From 1819 the company was known simply as Thomire & Compagnie.