CENTERPIECE. ORMOLU, MARBLE. FRANCE, LATE 19TH CENTURY

Centerpiece. Gilded bronze, marble. France, late 19th century Centerpiece or planter that has a globular body carved in veined marble in pink tones (of a type similar to a very popular one often used in works of the French school during the Rococo of the 18th century) and some mercury-gilded marble highlights . These are decorated with lion's claws on the legs, simple architectural moldings and masks with vegetal elements (feminine and monstrous, alternating), and an edge that extends towards the interior area of the pieces creating like two wings or handles, decorated with plant and architectural elements (volutes, flowers, bows, leaves, etc.) both outside and inside this area, leaving what would be the internal area of the marble pieces smooth. The classicist inspiration of the decorative elements of the couple is common in works of the French school since the 18th century. Some details (for example, the claws serving as finials on the legs) are seen in Louis XIV style centerpieces dated to that century, while other elements are more often seen in Louis XVI style works (one of the main elements of the Neoclassical style). There is only one piece known to be preserved in a private collection in the United States of America. Weight: 16kg

· Size: 37x27x23 cms