Deniere, In Paris - The Childhood Of Bacchus. Rocaille Style Trim In Bronze. Circa 1850

MAISON DENIERE (Jean-François Denière, 1775-1866 and Guillaume Denière, 1815-1901 successor in 1844), Manufacturers of Art Bronzes in Paris-Beautiful Fireplace Trim with brown patina and remarkably chiseled gilded bronze with a mythological subject evoking with finesse and sensitivity The Childhood of Bacchus. The clock known as the "Child with the Pipeau" or the "Seated Child Playing the Pipeau" can be compared to a copy dated 1837 and nowadays kept in the collections of the Château de Versailles and the Petit Trianon (n ° T 400). The associated Pair of Candelabra known as "Aux Enfants bacchiques" inspired by models created in the early 1770s by Claude Michel, known as Clodion (1738-1814) in collaboration with the sculptor-ornamentist Louis-Félix Delarue. The three decorative pieces constituting the Trim presented listed in the Sales Catalogs of models of Art and Furnishing Bronzes, Large Decoration from Maison Denière (...) from February-March 1903 (Paris, Hôtel Drouot ) under nos. 69, 580-581. Quality Parisian work in Louis XV-Rocaille style from the first half of the 19th century. End of the Louis-Philippe era-beginning of the Second Empire, circa 1840-1850. Developed by the distinguished Parisian House of Art and Furnishing Bronzes Denière (1804-1890) in his century, highly prized by European crowned heads who appreciated "the richness and variety of its pieces of great character and great quality" ( Blanqui, 1851), this radiant Fireplace Decor imbued with discreet and delicious theatricality includes: -a Terminal Clock depicting, wisely seated on a small mossy mound dotted with aquatic plants, a child's figure treated in the round. Captured in an attitude imbued with delicacy, a tender toddler with a dreamy face applies himself, head half inclined, to positioning his fingers on a double pipe or Aulos, an instrument bringing joy. Modeled with tact, this exquisite sculptural work with chubby forms lightly shrouded in a leonine stole, with a face haloed by an autumnal wreath of ivy represents Bacchus as a Child. This suave effigy is a rectangular base-pedestal wrapped in opulent Rocaille-inspired ornamentation, masterfully mixing on an amati background volutes and undulating scrolls of acanthus foliage, openwork shells with wavy or flamed beards, floral garlands and a throw of bindweed. decorated with country flowers. Chiseled with jubilation, a mask with the simian appearance of a bearded Satyr or Faun crowned with leafy vine branches enlivens this ornamental composition. Within it lies the white enameled dial of the clock, with Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes. Set on its bezel with a beautiful thread of pearls, it bears the signature of "DENIERE /Ft de Bronzes/A Paris", - talented House of Art Bronzes and Watchmaking many times praised at Industrial or Universal Exhibitions for his "highly artistic" models combining "with vigor, brilliance", "exuberance and sculptural beauty" (Adolphe Blanqui, Lettres sur l'Exposition Universelle de Londres..., Paris, 1851). - a pair of candelabra with four arms of light called "Aux Enfants bacchiques". Unquestionably inspired by the delicious and jovial dreamlike universe fashioned by the sculptor Claude Michel, known as Clodion (1738-1814), each candelabra presents an ingenuous childish figure forming a barrel. Seated on a small rocky mound marked with a lion's skin, a pan flute (attributes of Bacchus) or foliage, a boy and a girl with heads crowned with a herd of grape vines, with torsos barred with a rope of vine leaves or a strip of leather hold in an alert gesture a twisted Cornucopia. From its corolla wrought with water leaves, four arms of light blossom in a whirling movement acanthus foliage stamped with flamed half-shells. A similar formal richness runs through the base of these candelabra designed as pendants. Hemmed with Rocaille turnbacks, the latter is festooned on its sinuous silhouette with ample roughened shells with openwork punctuated with volutes of acanthus brightened with berries and flowers. Crossed by a Rocaille breath, this Fireplace Trim made by Maison Denière in the years 1840-1850 perfectly embodies through its theme the tastes of Parisian high society then aspiring for carefree, joyful jubilations also placed under the divine tutelage of Bacchus. Invigorated by a delicate feeling, this watchmaking ensemble is also characteristic of the way in which these talented 19th century bronze workers ingenuously combined ornamental repertoire, subjects inherited from the previous century. Methods of creation that in 1877, the critic Louis Enault reported in these terms: "Very versed in the practice of industrial arts and, guided by already long experience, Mr. Denière (Guillaume) has delved into all eras (.. ), and he took the most beautiful types. He combines and marries them with as much skill as taste. Evocative of the childish Dionysian Pleasures, the Fireplace Trim presented, of which we can only highlight the "irreproachable" "composition, design, carving" will be like yesteryear "a celebration for the amateur and the man of taste" ( Eugène Lacroix, 1872) Signatures: pendulum signed on the dial and its movement numbered "2165": DENIERE FT de Bronzes/ PARIS" Materials: Gilded chased bronze with brown patina; Enamel and glass. Dimensions: -Clock: H.: 43 cm;-L.: 38 cm;-Dr.: 21 cm Candelabra: H.: 47 cm;-base: 18x18 cm. Parisian work from Maison Denière from the first half of the 19th century in the LouisXV-Rocaille style.End of the Restoration period - beginning of the Second Empire, circa 1840-1850