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Lot Essay
This superbly chased pair of chenets forming brule-parfums are characteristic of the oeuvre of André-Charles Boulle.
The pierced urn surmounting the base is identical to an urn finial adorning a chandelier attributed to the celebrated ébéniste and bronzier, sold at Christie’s, New York, 21 May 1996, lot 316. It also relates to a design by Jean Bérain (1637-1711) which depicts a similar urn supported by scrolling female figure (illustrated in H. Ottomeyer, P. Proschel et al, Vergoldete Bronzen, I, Munich, 1986, p.48, fig.1.5.1). Bérain’s designs proliferated by engravings and inspired many artistes and artisans of his time, especially André-Charles Boulle who possessed in his own collection ‘dix huit livres en feuilles d’ornements de Berrain’, as indicated in his inventory after death in 1732.
Interestingly, the present base on paw feet with portrait medallions of nymphs and a satire, is identical to supports attributed to Boulle for sculptures of Amphitrite and Bacchus by Michel Anguier, illustrated in J. N. Ronfort, André Charles Boulle (1642-1732). Un nouveau style pour l’Europe, Paris, 2009, p. 384.
Two other pairs of this model are known, one was sold at Couturier Nicolay, Paris, 30 May 1980, lot 100; the other at Sotheby’s, London, 7 December 2000, lot 64.
The pierced urn surmounting the base is identical to an urn finial adorning a chandelier attributed to the celebrated ébéniste and bronzier, sold at Christie’s, New York, 21 May 1996, lot 316. It also relates to a design by Jean Bérain (1637-1711) which depicts a similar urn supported by scrolling female figure (illustrated in H. Ottomeyer, P. Proschel et al, Vergoldete Bronzen, I, Munich, 1986, p.48, fig.1.5.1). Bérain’s designs proliferated by engravings and inspired many artistes and artisans of his time, especially André-Charles Boulle who possessed in his own collection ‘dix huit livres en feuilles d’ornements de Berrain’, as indicated in his inventory after death in 1732.
Interestingly, the present base on paw feet with portrait medallions of nymphs and a satire, is identical to supports attributed to Boulle for sculptures of Amphitrite and Bacchus by Michel Anguier, illustrated in J. N. Ronfort, André Charles Boulle (1642-1732). Un nouveau style pour l’Europe, Paris, 2009, p. 384.
Two other pairs of this model are known, one was sold at Couturier Nicolay, Paris, 30 May 1980, lot 100; the other at Sotheby’s, London, 7 December 2000, lot 64.