Rare and large cast-iron bench from the Calla factory in Paris, circa 1850

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About the Item

Rare and large bench in cast iron with a nice old patina. This bench was made by the Calla company in Paris, circa 1850. It features neo-Gothic decor, very much in vogue at the time. A few old restorations are visible on the rear legs and the back of the crosspiece, it is very solid and stable. Calla's factories were involved in some of Paris's most important projects, such as the reunification of the Tuileries and Louvre palaces (metal framework), the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève (1842, Labrouste entrusted him with the construction of the framework)... He is also responsible for the ornamental cast iron of the Panthéon, and the framework and ornamental cast iron of the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul church built by his friend, architect Jacques Hittorff (1792-1867), in the Poissonnière district, near his foundries. He took part in the construction of the Madeleine church, supplying dozens of tons of cast iron, and the Notre-Dame de Lorette church. In 1839, they won a gold medal at the French Industry Exhibition. In 1844, they won a prize for a fountain, vases and railings... This factory also produced industrial cast iron (for artillery pieces during the siege of Paris, 1870-1871). Christophe François Calla was the first to use cast iron on a large scale to produce decorative ornaments for public and private buildings. On Place de la Concorde, Hittorff had originally planned for the fountains, rostral columns and large candelabra to be made by his friend Calla. In the end, they were made by the Muel firm in Tusey, near Vaucouleurs in the Meuse department. Instead, Christophe François Calla created the four fountains in the Carré Marigny on the Champs-Élysées promenades (Fontaine de Diane, Fontaine de la Grille du Coq, Fontaine des quatre saisons and Fontaine de Vénus). The "signature" of the Calla foundry is still visible on the various works cited here. Calla and Muel can therefore be credited with having created the art foundry industry in France. The first major castings, such as statues and ornaments, came from the Calla and Muel foundries. Christophe François Calla became a foundryman for artists such as James Pradier and his pupil Antoine Étex. He was responsible for casting the Amazon at the Cirque d'été, historically located at the Rond-point des Champs-Élysées, a copy of which, also cast by Calla, now stands on the pediment of the Cirque d'hiver. He was also the founder of the statue of Saint Louis sculpted by Antoine Étex, as well as the reproduction of David d'Angers' statue of Gutenberg, the original of which is in Strasbourg and the copy in the cour d'honneur of the Imprimerie nationale in Paris. He also produced numerous copies of works of art in cast iron or regule. Nine of his fire pots or Medici-type vases still stand in the Parterre du Midi at the Château de Versailles. In 1839, he created the fountain in the Square Louvois (rue de Richelieu, opposite the Bibliothèque Nationale), which bears the inscription "Cast by Calla in 1839". At the 1851 exhibition, a large composition by M. Fratin, depicting two eagles swooping down on their prey, stood out. "A large composition by M. Fratin, depicting two eagles swooping down on their prey, stood out. This group was cast by M. Calla, of Paris, whose reputation as one of our foremost founders of iron and bronze is so well established, that it dispenses us from any praise of him. This sculpture probably stands today in Central Park.

Creator:
CALLA (Christophe François) (Manufacturer)
Dimensions:
Height: 35.04 in (89 cm)Width: 74.41 in (189 cm)Depth: 20.48 in (52 cm)Seat Height: 17.72 in (45 cm)
Style:
Gothic Revival (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Iron,Molded
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
1850-1859
Date of Manufacture:
Circa 1850
Condition:
Repaired: A few old restorations are visible on the rear legs and the back of the crosspiece, it is very solid and stable. Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Paris, FR
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU939438280812

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