Ref.17392
Henri HOUDEBINE and DEMAY « Cherubs on the hunt » Pair of candelabras presented at the Universal Exhibition of 1855

Gilt bronze Size: Height, 82 cm; Width, 67 cm; Depth, 26 cmA rare surviving example from the Universal Exhibition of 1855, this pair of candelabras is signed by Henri Houdebine, Von Blumberg, as well as the sculptor Demay. On one of these, a militant-looking youth threatens an angry beast with his spear while holding him down under his foot. On the other, a young girl has captured a bound stag that lies at her feet. The sweet features of the feminine figure counterbalance the determined expression of the cherub on the other piece that was conceived as its pendant. Both candelabras sit on bases made in the style typical of the Louis XV period, a style that enjoyed a renewed interest at the beginning of the Second Empire (see Louis XV style ). The lively movement of the scrollwork allowed the maker to display his virtuoso technique in the execution of the casting and the chasing that highlight the different qualities of the bronze, sometimes finished in matt gold and sometimes burnished.    In the 19th century, Henri Houdebine was well known for his work that catered to the contemporary taste for reinterpreting older styles. This pair of candelabras, dated 1855 and presented at the Universal Exhibition in Paris, is an exceptional example of the early production of the Houdebine factory. Founded in Paris, in 1845, the company participated in most of the exhibitions that took place during the second half of the 19th century and won numerous awards: Gold Medal in 1876 (Exhibition of the Union Centrale des Arts Décoratifs) and 1878 (Universal Exhibition), Medal of Recognition in 1880 (Exposition de l’UCAD), Honorary Degree in 1883 (Amsterdam International Exhibition) the same year that Henri Houdebine was made chevalier in the Legion of Honor. A member of the Union Centrale des Arts Décoratifs, he was yet again singled out for the beauty of these candelabras at the Universal Exhibition of 1889.    The sculptor Demay also signed this model; this may have been Germain Demay, the student of Barye who showed works depicting small animals in the Salons of 1844 and 1848, most notably a jaguar, a panther and a stag.  

Ref.3539
An antique Louis XV style fireplace, Pompadour model, made out of Rouge du Nord marble

This antique Louis XV style fireplace, Pompadour model, was made out of Red from the North marble in the 19th century.

Ref.3983
Antique Louis XVI style fireplace with round corners in Red from the North marble and gilded bronze ornaments

Antique Louis XVI style fireplace with fluted jambs forming rounded corners. It was made in the 19th century in a Red from the North marble and is decorated with gilded bronze ornaments, in particular on the frieze which is decorated with knotted ribbons and flowering branches.

Ref.12410
Earthenware umbrella holder representing a fish coming out of a wave

Umbrella stand in polychrome earthenware made in the 19th century, representing a fish coming out of a wave.

Ref.12889
Louis XVI period gilt wood overmantel with a double crown of flowers and olive tree branches

This wooden overmantel was made at the end of the 18th century and shows a beautiful decor in gilt wood with typical Louis XVI style motifs. The mirror is framed by a frieze of pearls and a laurel leaves crown. It is surmounted by a frame decorated with a palm frieze showing a relief decoration of a very rich double crown of flowers knotted with a ribbon from where are escaping olive tree branches.

Ref.12870
Lot of around 5 m² of antique hexagonal terracotta tiles, 19th century

Antique 19th century period floor composed of hexagonal terracotta tiles from Provence. About 300 tiles of which the six sides are 3"9/16 for 6" 11/16 length and 13/16" thick. The whole surface area is about 5 m².

Ref.12839
Ferdinand Duvinage – Pair of single-flower vases with a ivory marquetry decoration

This beautiful pair of single-flower vases was made by Ferdinand Duvinage between 1874 and 1884. He files in 1874, 1876 and 1877 patents for a marquetry technique of mosaic with metallic partitioning for furniture and art objects. His method is really original because it involves the combined union of ivory as a base, wood for the designs or ornaments, and copper or other metal to partitioning the ivory fragments. The firm continues to participate to World Fairs where they win many medals, even though they are not that much mentioned by the critics, we know that the productions with the Japanese vocabulary created under the direction of Duvinage were also very appreciated and were a real commercial success. He creates here, a beautiful pair of vases in glass with a shaped thin and elegant shape, that evokes a flower’s corolla and adorned on the walls with a enameled reed decoration. The vases rest on a gilt bronze base remarkably and finely chiseled lightened up with a marquetry decoration of ivory taking from the process invented by the artist.

Ref.13988
Louis XVI style trumeau with plant frieze decoration

Louis XVI style trumeau in white painted stucco with gold painted moldings. The frame is surrounded by a beaded border and a plant frieze with leaves painted in white and gilded.

Ref.13390
Cast iron fireback with the coat of arms of France

Cast iron fireback with the coat of arms of the House of Bourbon, a royal house of French origin that became a major dynasty in Europe, with kings in Spain (Navarre), France, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and Parma. Bourbon kings ruled in France from 1589 until the French Revolution, and for short periods thereafter. The coat of arms consists of a crown surmounting a medallion adorned with three fleur-de-lys, symbol of purity and royalty. The palm leaves on either side of the medallion symbolise victory. The date "1784" is inscribed above the coat of arms.

Ref.13105
Mediterranean landscape, a rare iridescent dish by Delphin MASSIER

Made around 1900, this magnificent ceramic dish with metallic lustre is signed by Delphin Massier. Based in the Côte d'Azur, the Massier brothers ran a famous artistic pottery workshop. At the end of the 19th century, their highly distinguished creations adorned the drawing rooms of the Riviera's rich private mansions. The Massiers also worked for the crowned heads of Europe. The Massiers are considered to be the fathers of Vallauris decorative pottery, which was to become very famous in the 20th century. A large, spectacular dish, it pays tribute to the Mediterranean landscape, full of iridescence thanks to the use of the metallic lustre technique. The framing of the landscape and the tranquillity of the view, combined with the colours, are reminiscent of Japanese inspiration. Using a similar technique, a dish signed by Clément Massier, Delphin's brother, is in the collections of the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.

Ref.15726
CARRIER-BELLEUSE Albert-Ernest — Enameled Porcelain Covered Vase from Sèvres

Refined covered vase in enameled porcelain, produced by the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres and mounted on a finely chiseled gilt bronze base. This model, known as "Saïgon", was developed under the artistic direction of Albert-Ernest CARRIER-BELLEUSE in the late 19th century, and reflects the influence of Asian aesthetics and cloisonné techniques that were highly fashionable at the time. The decoration features a profusion of stylized floral motifs, rendered in nuanced tones of blue, green, pink, and white, highlighted with gilded outlines. Butterflies and insects in raised polychrome enamel add a delicate sense of relief and intricacy to the ivory-toned surface. A gadrooned frieze in blue enamel and gold encircles the neck and base, enhancing the ornamental harmony of the piece. The underside bears several marks: a red stencil "DECORE A SEVRES" with monogram, green painted number "S.80", and various incised and painted inventory numbers. This piece exemplifies the technical virtuosity and decorative elegance of Sèvres' artistic production during the 1880s.