Bouhon, In Paris-pair Of Andirons In Gilded Bronze. Circa 1870.

BOUHON, in Paris.-Remarkable Pair of Louis XVI Decorative Lights in delicately chiseled and gilded bronze. Highlighted on their architectural body with an opulent ogee molding of acanthus foliage, each andiron rests on four ringed ovoid feet set with lanceolate leaves. In the axis of one of them, a pine cone surmounts a die embellished with the radiant petals of a helianthus flower. On the opposite side, festooned with an elegant floral garland held by ribboned pastilles, stands on a small base forming a faceted pedestal in rectangular reserves of small scrapers and centered with a helianthus rosette, a flamed Athenian vase. Godrons, guilloché lobes, torus of ribboned grained laurel adorn and surround the Cassolette from which swirling clouds of smoke escape. Their shoulder is exquisitely animated by four childish heads - small Zephyrs - sheathed in a leafy scroll re-worked with pearls, lanceolate motifs and finished in a hairy goat's paw. Each andiron welcomes on its cover, set in a spring crown of roses, a bow intersected with a quiver with arrows, - whose features make Love bloom.
Each light bears carved on their side the signature of "BOUHON" -, that is, Auguste, Matthieu Bouhon (1839-1890), Parisian manufacturer-artist sculptor renowned in the capital for "the artistic side of his productions" and, more particularly "good taste, elegance, impeccable execution" characteristics of his models of "hearth front trims, andirons and screens" of which he had made a specialty. As such, his House (1867-1912)* located at Paris 12, rue Debelleyme will be awarded the highest awards during the Universal Exhibitions and honored with numerous distinctions.
Crossed by the gracefully innovative breath of the bronzier Claude-Jean Pitoin (1757- before 1807) of whom the Bouhon House also made remarkable copies on the Louis XVI period models today preserved in prestigious museum institutions (Chenets "A la Lyre", Louvre, OA 5264-5265 or "Aux Vases flammés et couples de doves", Versailles, V 2017 81), our pair of fireplaces probably made between 1870-1880 illustrates both the remarkable mastery of the sources of inspiration and "the fecundity of imagination" of these bronze artist-manufacturers to whom we owe the original authorship. Everyone will appreciate in these andirons, in addition to their undeniable formal refinement served by great finesse of execution and carving, the clever adequacy established between neo-classical Louis XVI ornamental motifs (flamed Athenian, pine cone, helianthus flowers and floral garland , evocative of the winter heat of the hearth, of the rebirth of spring happiness) and destination of the object. Small Zephyrs blowing gentle breezes, amorous attributes giving them that tender touch of preciousness specific to the gallant aesthetic of the 18th century which subsequently became very popular.
Our signed pair of andirons can be compared to a model (attributed to Bouhon Frères) with a similar theme presented at Christie's on April 24, 2014 (Le Goût français: decorative arts from the 18th to the 19th century), Lot 58: "Pair of andirons Louis XVI style in chiseled gilded bronze, the covering flanked by two flames and centered with a quiver in a crown of flowers. H: 27cm L.: 40 D.: 43. Furthermore, a pair of andirons of the emblematic Parisian house Bouhon brothers (1890-1912) is listed in Paris, in the collections of the Louvre Museum (0A 11 345 2).
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*The BOUHON House (1867-1912) or “the intimate alliance of art with industry”.
Succeeding at 12, rue Debelleyme to the honorable bronze manufacturer Ernest Clavier (active from 1857 to 1867), Maison BOUHON, founded on the initiative of Auguste Mathieu Bouhon (1839-1890), "artist-sculptor-designer" -initially attached to the Maison Denière from which he obtained his first rewards (2nd class medal, silver in 1855 and 1867) - in association with Cyprien-Dieudonné Bahille, sculptor from the Barbedienne workshops, in a decade knew how to compete with the prestigious Parisian Fabrique Morizot (1827-1898) on rue de Turenne specializing in “hearth and fireplace interior linings”. “In perfect communion of spirit, of ideas, working alone, being their own sculptors, their own designers, these two “consummate practitioners”, “with their own models” (L’Événement of November 12, 1878, p.3 ), won a silver medal at the Universal Exhibition of 1878 in Paris. In 1872 at the Vienna Exhibition, a Medal of Merit had preceded this distinction. From then on, the Jury reports and the press had no ceases to praise "the purity of style, the perfection of the work, the delicacy of carving" characterizing their andirons, fans, fire screens, etc. endowed with "charm, elegance and unparalleled originality".
During the year 1889, Bouhon père formed in his name and those of his former collaborator and his sons - Edouard - Justin (1864-1947) and Etienne- Joseph (1866-1940), "sculptors" - the company Bouhon and Co. Following his death during the Paris Universal Exhibition for which he was awarded the title of member of the Jury and an honorary diploma, the company passed into the hands of his sons (Bouhon Frères). The latter maintained the reputation and tradition of excellence of this House which, from 1878, offered in their domain to its wealthy clientele, especially artistic pieces intended for princely residences" (A.Lefêvre). In 1893, we note in an account rendering of the Chicago Exhibition, always laudatory notes on this House providing in fact the Garde-Meuble: "One of the most esteemed Houses in Paris, for the artistic side of its productions and the faithful reproductions of our masters for everything relating to fireplace fittings, andirons in both bronze and wrought iron is certainly Maison Bouhon. MM.Bouhon Frères, who direct it, have also given their attention to the reproduction of museum fireplaces, rare pieces which require the skill of the most skilled artists. This is moreover, with a decorative fireplace executed in collaboration with Octave Lelièvre and Léon Pilet associated with Andirons due to Eugène Marioton which they received at the International Exhibition of 1900 a Gold Medal, reinstated in 1904 (Saint-Louis), 1905 (Liège),... In 1912, Justin Bouhon "exhibiting at the Salons du Mobiler" from 1902 to 1911, was promoted to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honor.
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High quality Parisian work in Louis XVI style from the second half of the 19th century. Signed Bouhon. Circa 1870.
Materials: chiseled and gilded bronze.
Dimensions: Each andiron: H.: 31 cm;-L.: 29 cm;-Dr: 12 cm.
In perfect condition.