This surtout de table, suitably cast with Bacchic ornament appropriate to a dining-room or room of entertainment, is characteristic of the oeuvre of Thomire et cie. Established by the celebrated ciseleur-doreur Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843), who was elected matre in 1772, the firm specialised in the production of decorative objects of superlative quality and was extensivley patronised by Napolon during the Empire period. An almost identical surtout signed Thomire Paris and now in a Private Collection, Munich is illustratated in H. Ottomeyer, P. Prschel et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, p.387, fig. 5.16.14. A further related example was sold anoymously at Christie's London, 22 June 1989, lot 43.