G. Denière, "The Marmots" Centerpiece, France, circa 1840

Exceptional centerpiece in silvered and gilded bronze, composed of a naiad riding a dolphin, supporting a chiseled shell decorated with reeds, adorned with the head of a river god on its bow and on which a winged love blows in a conch. The whole rests on a pedestal decorated with dolphin heads and cut-out leathers, ending with a porphyry base with molded steps. Historical and artistic context Centers and naves of tables are attested in France from the Middle Ages in order to present spices and other condiments brought from distant lands around the Mediterranean or from the trade of the Silk Roads. The importance of their presence on prestigious tables will be confirmed throughout the decorative arts, evolving during the 19th century in centerpieces, becoming a central element of decoration. Here we find a true virtuosity in the composition and representation of the human figure which is reminiscent of the greatest artists of the Italian Renaissance. Indeed, the fluidity of the lines of the naiad can be compared to the nymph of Fontainebleau by Benvenuto Cellini preserved at the Louvre museum and dated 1545, while the naturalist representation of the marine setting refers to the work of Wenzel Jamnitzer...

Elegant centerpiece in finely chiseled vermeil. Composed of a Baccarat cut-crystal cup from which emerge four sinuous light-arms. The whole rests on a scalloped mirrored tray adorned with foliage, with a molded contour of wrapped rushes and ending with four openwork feet. The two French goldsmiths George Boin and his son-in-law Emile Taburet created circa 1875 in Paris the company Boin-Taburet. They made many silver pieces inspired by the beautiful services of the eighteenth century. At the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1878, Georges Boin presented a “service de toilette” inspired by the work of François-Thomas Germain (1726-1791), and then at the Universal Exhibition of 1889, several epergnes, including one of them executed after drawings by the famous artist Juste-Aurèle Meissonier (1695-1750), as well as tea sets of Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI styles. Boin-Taburet firm also exhibited a tureen and platter after Pierre Germain...

A stunning and extremely high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. ormolu centerpiece attributed to Henry Dasson. The centerpiece is raised by an exceptional and most decorative...

A beautiful and high quality French 19th century Louis XVI st. Belle Époque period ormolu and Sèvres porcelain centerpiece. The centerpiece is raised by a most decorative ormolu scro...