Attributed to the workshop of Pierre Gouthière (1732-1813, master since 1758). The bronze flame urns with original fire-gilding are standing on stepped, dark red marble pedestals with bead and reel application and overhanging acanthus foliage. The splendid decoration with neoclassical elements such as fluting, plaited bands, ornamental handles with mascaron base and flame crowning refers to the “époque transition”, the transition from Louis-quinze to Louis-seize in France. The expressive mascarons and the precious, partly matt gilding are characteristic for the works of Gouthières. The popular Ciseleur with the bronzes has been assigned by Marie Antoinette during the 1780s for her apartment in the Palace of Versailles and for the royal loge at the Paris Opera.
Height 48cm.
Cf. an andiron in the noble saloon of queen Marie-Antoinette in the Palace of Versailles, image at Ottomeyer/Pröschel: “Vergoldete Bronze”, Munich 1986, vol. 1, no. 3.14.8 and vol. 2, page 443 ff.