A PAIR OF LARGE FRENCH GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE BRULE PARFUMS IN

A PAIR OF LARGE FRENCH GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE BRULE PARFUMS IN THE MANNER OF PIERRE-PHILIPPE THOMIRE late 19th Century, in the Empire taste, each of campana form, the domed and pierced cover with a gilt rosette and acorn finial set within a dished everted rim, one with a separately cast border of trailing vine and grape clusters, the body cast in relief with a continuous frieze of dancing maenads between tripod braziers beneath a band of oak leaves, the compressed lower bowl applied with rams' masks, palm fronds and pendant fruit beneath a girdle applied with stars, upon a gadrooned socle and a laurel wreath, raised on a stepped square plinth applied to the front with a flaming urn flanked by seated griffins amid foliate scrolls and ribbon tied garlands and to the sides with classical portrait medallions, the base with a band of oak leaves and acorns. (2) 67cm high Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843) was the outstanding Parisian bronzier and gilder of the early 19th Century. Trained in the workshop of Pierre Gouthiere, he established his own business in 1776 and supplied finely chased mounts to the leading Parisian ebenistes for furniture and clocks and to the Sèvres porcelain factory. Much patronised by Napoleon, who appointed him Ciseleur de l'Empereur in 1809, his work represents some of the finest of the Empire style. He retired from the firm in 1823 but continued to work occasionally as a sculptor.

Estimate:£4,000

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