Ref.9420
Judgement of Paris 16th century fireback

Charming 16th century cast iron fireback , representing the Judgment of Paris. This Renaissance’s essential subject is here represented after Raffaello Sanzio’s version, engraved by Marco Antonio Raimondi, which success had caused a very large amount of artifacts copying its pattern. Like in Raffaello’s version, the young prince is sit under a tree on the left and the three goddesses face him, the last one turning her back. Paris’s profile highlights the muscles of his back and legs, an important element for Raffaello was then the first to paint antiquity nudes for all the Judgment of Paris’s characters. In order to adapt the prolific genius’s painting, the master metalworker gave Minerva a shield and Juno a royal scepter, so that they’d be better recognized. This solution has been adopted for the embossed design of medals in the same period, as those preserved in the Louvre museum. Overhanging the composition in a mandorla, a winged Cupid, holding his bow and quiver, expresses the supremacy of his power. The 16th century puts indeed Eros’s power in the spotlight, particularly through the Neoplatonistic mystique known by Raffaello, as a world-making force. Eros is thus the first of all gods, here making his law : the victory of love upon the other virtues that are wisdom and force. The scene is flanked by bay leaves topped by laurel wreathed heads, maybe poets. On either side of Cupid, a pair of Moorish heads; two scrolled acanthus leaves rise up and join together above the mandorla.

Ref.10065
"Hunters", antique cast iron fireback from the 18th century

Featuring a square shape, this antique fire back was made during the 18th century. In a rockery scene, two hunters are dressed in oriental clothing.

Ref.13605
Cast iron fireback from a 16th century original model, 20th century

This fireback was moulded in the 20th century on an original one from the 16th century. It is adorned with a fleur-de-lis, two angels holding a ribbon with four crosses, above a coat of arms where two standing lions are facing each other.

Ref.13276
Modern fireback with the French Revolution attributs

This modern fireback was made of cast iron. It is adorned with the attributs of the French Revolution such as the rooster and the Phrygian cap.

Ref.13568
Louis XVI style fireback « The violin player »

This Louis XVI style fireback was made in cast iron in the 20th century. It is decorated in the centre with a medallion featuring two street artists, a violinist on the left and a juggler on the right. The medallion is framed by two branches at the end of which two flowers are blooming, and is topped by a knotted ribbon. The name of the foundry of "Cousance" is inscribed in the lower right. Founded in 1602 by the lords of Cousances, the Cousance foundry has been producing cast iron pots and firebacks since its creation. It has been handed down from father to son in the Viry family for generations and is still active.