Ref.13001
Pair of Renaissance style vases in patinated bronze from the Mouchy-le-Châtel castle, second half of the 19th century

This pair of patinated bronze vases were made during the second half of the 19th century to decorate a door on the facade of the Mouchy-le-Châtel Castle, in the Parisian region. This castle was built in the 16th century by the Maricourt Family, then it was taken during the second half of the 18th century by the first dukes de Noailles, before being occupied by the dukes of Mouchy, younger branch of the Noailles family. It's the dukes of Mouchy that started the work of restoration and extension during the Second Empire, entrusted to the architect Hyppolite Destailleur (1822 – 1893), to whom we also owe the restoration of Courances and Vaux le Vicomte castles. Helped by the sculptor and drawer Michel Lienard (1810 – 1870) and sculptor Mathurin Moreau (1822 – 1912), the three of theme redefined the castle Mouchy-le-Châtel keeping the Renaissance decorative repertoire of the first castle. Our pair of bronze vases is an example of the reinterpretation of the shapes inspired by the Renaissance. Put on a flaring fluted foot, they're adorned on the belly with four lion's heads in relief. The lid and the long neck are decorated with friezes of acanthus leaves and flowers. The long neck is joined to the belly by two handles in a S shape of which the scrolls are occupied by flowers. Our two vases were made during one the different restoration's phases of the castle during the second half of the 19th century to adorn the door of one of the castle's facades as show the archive picture.

Ref.6122
Louis XV style fireplace in Carrara marble richly carved with plant motifs

This Louis XV–style fireplace was crafted in Carrara marble, a material prized for its soft whiteness. This light tone enhances the richness of the carving and the fluidity of the lines characteristic of the Rocaille style. The structure follows the typical movement of the Louis XV style, with a serpentine frieze in the shape of a basket handle and a sinuously profiled mantel shelf. The jambs, slightly curved, widen toward the base and rest on simple plinths. The overall effect is one of balanced elegance, where the rounded volumes contrast with the precision of the marble. The finely carved ornamentation is particularly refined. The centre of the entablature features a large acanthus leaf motif framed by volutes and foliage, from which flower bouquets emerge. On either side, branches adorned with flowers and fruits spread in relief across the full width of the frieze. The jambs echo this decorative vocabulary: each console is adorned with an upper scroll surmounting a cascade of flowers, leaves, and stylised acanthus, ending in a plinth carved with an upright vegetal motif. All these elements are executed with great finesse, highlighting the lightness characteristic of the Louis XV style. The cast iron interior is also decorated. It displays a large central shell motif surrounded by leafy scrolls, repeated on the sides with arabesques and floral ornaments in relief. These details recall the vegetal forms of the marble and create continuity between the sculpted frame and the hearth.