Napoleon III garrison. Ormolu. France, third quarter of the 19th century. LEMAIRE, Auguste (France, 19th century); following models from CARRIER-BELLEUSE, Albert-Ernest (Aisne, 1824-Sèvres, 1887).
Garrison composed of two candelabra with eight lights each and a clock, all made of gilt bronze. The bases of the three elements present a harmonic and symmetrical but very moving set of curves and projection, which translates into the upper part of the pieces. Each of the chandeliers has a shaft with a clear Rococo memory composed of a base with volutes flanking a circular shape with rockeries, a pedestal that serves as a seat for the female figures, and an upper part with scrolls and plant elements from which emerge some pieces for the respective arms of the candelabra (also decorated with scrolls, rockeries, etc.). The clock has a pedestal on the base, decorated with architectural elements and a scallop or shell as the center of it, flanked by branches and scrolls; Two other female figures are seated on this pedestal, flanking the oval piece and topped by flowers and plant motifs that shelter the dial (white, numeration in Roman for the hours and in Arabic numerals every five for the minutes, Orientalist-type hands or Louis XV, remains of writing). The clockwork features inscription (A. Lemaire / Paris / RVDu Temple, 21) and serial numbers.
The four gilt bronze figures that decorate the garrison are seated, partially covered with fine tunics that glue their folds to the body and move with the "wind", and each one appears characterized by the object it carries. In the chandeliers, one carries a bow and an animal skin and the other a chalice, an object to illuminate, a brazier or something similar; on the clock, one features a wreath and the other a bundle of ears of wheat. It could be the four seasons (compare with the caryatids on the exterior of the Grand Opera in Vichy) or four allegories (Harmony bronze or allegory of music, various museums and collections). A garnish like this one was sold at Christie's (23 September 2010, lot 256) cast on the Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse model.
Albert-Ernest Carrier Belleuse was a French sculptor and draftsman trained with David d'Angers and at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He achieved international recognition from his participation in the Salon of French Artists of 1861 (Third Medal), reaching outstanding works such as various busts of Napoleon III, the fireplace in the great hall of the Paris Opera, etc. His work is preserved in prominent private collections and in institutions such as the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, the Museo del Prado in Madrid, etc .; Furthermore, we must remember its terracotta and its monuments (such as that of Bernardo O'Higgins in Santiago de Chile). Also noteworthy is the publication in 1884 of L \\ 'application de la figure humaine à la decoration et à l \\' ornementation industrielles, an important sample book for the decorative arts of the time, which was appointed in 1876 art director of the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres."
· Size: Reloj 20x51x63 cms / Candelabros: Alt 74 cms.
ANTIQUES