"Champleve" Enamel Table Mirror Attributed to A. Giroux, France, circa 1880

Charming easel mirror in the shape of a lyre, in gilded bronze and polychrome cloisonné enamel decorated with interlacing and flowers. Paul Louchet (1854-1936), a French artist, worked at the beginning at chiselling bronze pieces, before becoming President of the Bronze Manufacturers Society, located in Paris. Sculptor and painter, as well, he collaborated with his brother, Charles, and together participated to the Chicago Universal Exhibition in 1893, with a great success : « Il n'y a pas de plus belle ou plus magnifique exposition à Chicago qui attire l'attention universelle que celle dans la section des fabricants de Paris. Il s’agit du stand des frères...

Rare aesthetic movement showcase, opening in its upper part by two beveled glass doors framed by brass moldings, in its lower part by two door panels in carved walnut decorated with blooming branches and gilded bronze ornaments representing dragons and birds. The sides are carved, like wicker woven. This showcase is topped by an important carved and gilded walnut cornice depicting a Fô Dog in its center, with a protective power, and rests on elephant head with overtuned trunk shaped feet. This type of elephant head with overtuned trunk shaped feet is a characteristic of the Maison Giroux, which can be found on many objects they produced. Aesthetic movement cabinet, signed Maison Alphonse Giroux...

Beautiful ovoid-shaped covered vase in patinated bronze with golden highlights, with rich rotating decoration in relief. The lid, symbolizing Night, is decorated with a turtle, a moon, a dragon flying among the clouds ; and the belly, symbolizing the Day, is decorated with a rising sun, mountainous landscapes, and cherry tree branches. The whole, topped with a flamed seed, is supported by three African-type atlantes dressed in a loincloth. Historical and artistic context This work of art combines elements of Japonism and Orientalism, two important movements representative of the taste of the time for exoticism. Indeed, this taste for Chinoiserie was revived at the end of the 19th century following the Franco-English military campaign against the imperial army in China in 1860. Napoleon III’s French troops bring back part of the treasure from the Summer Palace, constituting in 1863 the famous Chinese Museum of Empress Eugénie at the Palace of Fontainebleau. First in painting, the movement quickly spread to decorative arts and furniture. This craze for the Far East is encouraged in France by the diffusion of Chinese ornamental works renewing the interior decoration of the luxurious Parisian residences of a clientele eager for something new. It was also under the Second Empire that the Orientalists were propelled to the forefront. Emperor Napoleon III, aristocrats as well as wealthy bourgeois in search of exoticism fill the order books of the most renowned artists. It is then not the predominantly academic style of the Orientalists that counts but above all the exoticism that they show to a fascinated public. Biography Alphonse Giroux and Company, famous curiosity and luxury goods shop was situated in Paris, at No. 7 rue du Coq-Saint-Honoré and in business from the time of the Consulate until the end of the Second Empire. The company was founded by Francois-Simon-Alphonse and continued in 1838 by his two sons, Alphonse-Gustave (1810-1886) and André (1801-1879). The father became a close associate of the royal family and specialized in the manufacture of refined items for gifts. Kings Louis XVIII and then Charles X were both supplied with gifts for « The Children of France » by Giroux. Making progressively small furniture, they were mentionned for the first time in 1837 in the class « cabinet...

Pair of cloisonné enamel square vases attributed to A. Giroux, with flared neck decorated on the belly with flowering lambrequins with oriental patterns on a blue and golden geometric. The mount in patinated and gilded bronze is composed of an openwork frieze on the neck, side grips with Fô dog heads forming the handles, the whole resting on four feet in the shape of elephant heads. Alphonse Giroux and Company, famous curiosity and luxury goods shop was situated in Paris, at No. 7 rue du Coq-Saint-Honoré and in business from the time of the Consulate until the end of the Second Empire. The company was founded by Francois-Simon-Alphonse and continued in 1838 by his two sons, Alphonse-Gustave (1810-1886) and André (1801-1879). The father became a close associate of the royal family and specialized in the manufacture of refined items for gifts. Kings Louis XVIII and then Charles X were both supplied with gifts for « The Children of France » by Giroux. Making progressively small furniture, they were mentionned for the first time in 1837 in the class « cabinet...

Very nice table mirror all covered with leather and suede 1960s.

Large Continental silver table mirror, circa 1880.

Large antique French Napoleon III period blond fir table mirror with storage drawer. Modern glass mirror. Wood back. Drawer dimensions 42 x 16 cm / 16.53 x 6.29 .in Glass dimensions...

Antique French gold bronze "Coiffeuse" mirror, Circa 1880.