Ref.03222
Exceptional large clock with the Fô dogs

Brown patina bronze, the base in Red Griotte marble. This magnificent clock was made in France around 1880 out of authentically Chinese bronzes. Two large Foo Dogs, made in China at the start of the 19th century, stand on their hind legs, and support the pendulum with their forelimbs. The pendulum mechanism sits inside a Chinese bronze vase that was specifically cut at its base and reused to make up the body of this clock. It is decorated all over its surface with engraved ornaments. Two dragons carved in relief are placed on the front of this vase and surround the clock's dial. On the back, there is a cockerel with its wings spread, with its head carved in relief. The extremely high quality bronze and the very skilful use of composition makes this clock very original. This clock is typical of a technique that was popular towards the end of the 19th century, which derived from a profound taste in the Far East. This technique involved reusing authentically Chinese elements on European designed objects, which were intended to be used on the most luxurious interiors. The clock's magnificence makes us reflect on the fact that it was made by a true amateur of Chinese Art. The dial's numerals are made out of enamel and are true Chinese numerals. The clock hands feature a dragon which is the result of excellent chiselling skill. These different elements are of French craftsmanship, as is the pendulum featuring an animal with tentacles. The pendulum is signed “ L.M et Cie, Médaille de bronze” (L.M and Cie, Bronze Medal), which confirms that it is off French craftsmanship and was made around 1880.

Ref.2385
Antique large Louis XV style fireplace in Rouge Griotte marble

Small antique 19th-century fireplace made out of Red Griotte marble. Both jambs and frieze are paneled.

Ref.11383
Restauration style overmantel mirror with palmettes, wood and painted stucco

Ref.11593
An antique mirror in the Napoleon III style, pediment decorated with a lion's head

Antique Napoleon III style mirror made in the 19th century out of wood and painted stucco. The mirror is beveled.

Ref.12416
Antique painted trumeau decorated with an oil on canvas representing a gallant scene

Antique trumeau painted animated in the upper part of an oil on canvas representing a gallant scene.

Ref.12975
Set of 10 m² of terracotta floor tiles in square shape

Antique terracotta floor tiles of 10 m² in a square shape, from the 19th century. The sides are 7"7/8 for 1" to 1"3/16 thick.

Ref.13081
Set of around 2 m² of terracotta floor tiles in square shape

Antique terracotta floor tiles of around 2 m² in a square shape, from the 19th century. The sides are 8" 1/4 to 8" 7/16 for 3/16" to 1" 3/8 thick.

Ref.12723
Rare pair of winged lions, cast iron, 19th century

Although called "griffins" by the artist and in the foundry's catalogue, they are rather a pair of winged lions, as evidenced by the absence of bird beaks, in cast iron and made by the Ducel or Val d'Osne foundry at the end of the 19th century after a model by Eugène-Louis Lequesne. Le Monde illustré, 18 juillet 1863, pp. 13-16. Initially designed to be part of the decoration of the current Musée de Picardie in Amiens as part of the project for the exterior and interior decoration of the museum by the architect Arthur Diet, these two winged lions, known as "griffins", were commissioned in 1861 by Diet to the sculptor Eugène-Louis Lequesne. In a letter from the architect dated 31 December 1861 addressed to a commission, Diet specified that E. Lequesne: "will make a sketch of them but on condition that these animals (be made) after the antique. If we wanted animals copied from nature, he would not interfere". On 8 February 1861, Lequesne submitted his model, which he exhibits at the 1863 Salon. These "griffins" were drawn by Lequesne after the antique and were included in the catalogue of the Ducel or Val d'Osne foundry at the end of the 19th century. Very popular, this model was delivered in several countries as orders for monuments or outdoor decorations were received. This model can be found in two of the foundry's catalogues : Ducel Val d’Osne catalogue, Folio 405 – Plate 238, N° 10613 and N° 10613 bis. Eugène-Louis Lequesne (1815-1887) was a French sculptor, student of James Pradier, he exhibited his work at the Salon from 1842. He was awarded of the First Prize of Rome in 1844 and had already won second place in 1843. Brilliant sculptor, he was nominated as knight of the Legion of Honour in 1855 and regularly exhibited his work at the Salon, including the model for our sculptures. Many of his works, including the famous "Dancing Faun", adorn public spaces. The figure of the winged lion dates back to the ancient period. This period provided famous examples such as the "Winged Lion of Vulci" from the Etruscan civilisation. In the ancient Greco-Roman world, from which the models that inspired Lequesne were made, artistic representations of the lion were very frequently associated with the figure of the guardian, both of the world of the living and dead. This pair of winged lions is associated with the 19th century taste for both Antiquity and representations of the fantastic. Other sculptors of Lequesne's time produced similar sculptures, such as the chimeras of Henri-Alfred Jacquemart or the statue of the winged lion by Auguste-Nicolas Cain. Comparison work : Henri-Alfred Jacquemart, Chimère ailée, fontaine Saint-Michel, Paris, France, 1858-1860. Other international exemple of « griffins » by Val d’Osne foundry : Town Square Fountain, Leicester, United Kingdom.

Ref.5467
Louis XIV style mantel carved in Breche Sanguine

Ref.5722
Napoleon III style mantel with modillions carved in black Marquina marble

Ref.4284
Campan marble fireplace in the Louis XIV style, with bronzes after Clodion

The lintel of this Louis XIV-style fireplace is decorated with bronze bas-reliefs by the Lorraine sculptor Claude Michel, known as Clodion (1738-1814). A pupil of Pigalle, he was highly prized by collectors of the time for his groups of bacchantes and putti. The bronze reliefs were inspired by those he designed for the Hôtel de Bourbon Condé around 1781. In the center, the satyress playing with a satyr child is a reproduction of the motifs from the bull's-eye window of the mansion (Louvre Museum, inv. RF 3424), and the bronze plaques are inspired by scenes of bacchanalia with children (Louvre Museum, inv. RF 3423).

Ref.6176
Louis XVI style fireplace with acroterion in Northern Red marble