Empire Gilt Bronze "incense Burner" - French Work, Early 19th Century.

Elegant decorative object in gilt bronze imitating an incense burner, of antique inspiration, typical of the Empire style and the archaeological taste born under the Directory. It rests on a tripod base with lion claws, decorated with acanthus foliage, chiseled scrolls and domed pads, in perfect fidelity to the neoclassical decorative vocabulary. The central shaft is enclosed by a coiled serpent, perfectly modeled, with finely chiseled scales. This figure, directly inspired by the ancient symbols of Asclepius or divine wisdom, is here associated with a decoration of water leaves, giving the whole a verticality full of majesty. The upper cup adopts the stylized form of an antique oil lamp. It features: -two bearded male heads in relief, probably Bacchus or a mythological divinity, symbols of pleasure, perfume and rite.-foliage scrolls running across the belly; -a spout with a sculpted flame.-two facing scroll handles, joined by a central motif evoking a stylized lictor's fasces. All these elements refer to the rigorous and erudite compositions of the Empire taste. The lid, which is not removable, is decorated with a rosette of radiant water leaves, and topped with a finely chiseled pine cone, a classic symbol of sacred fire, resurrection and divine power. The quality of the gilding, mixing matte and burnished gold, as well as the finesse of the chiseling on each detail - from the detail of the legs to the veins of the leaves - testifies to French work of the highest order, probably from a Parisian workshop such as Thomire, Galle or Feuchère, which supplied the fittings and ornamental bronzes to the greatest cabinetmakers and imperial palaces. Comparable in style and workmanship to certain pieces delivered for the palaces of Napoleon I, this "incense burner" could also have been used as a fireplace decoration or as a prestige object on a console. Height: 24.5 cm Period: Empire, circa 1805–1815 Origin: French work, probably Parisian Material: Bronze gilded with matte gold and burnished gold Condition: Excellent, original gilding very well preserved