Ref.9684
Antique cast iron fireback with dogs and coat of arms

This very beautiful cast iron fireback dates back to the middle of the 16th century. It is decorated with a coat of arms made out of oak surmounted on a crescent. Two dogs hold onto this coat of arms, and it is crowned by a fleur de lys.

Ref.10759
Set of four double doors, 1930's

These high double doors in the Art Deco style date back to the 1930s. These glass doors are provided with their ironworks characteristic of Art Deco .

Ref.11262
Antique cast iron fireback with coat of arms of Pénancoët de Kéroualle

This antique cast iron fireback, made after 1684, is decorated with the arms of Louise-Renée de Penancoët of Kéroualle, Baroness of Petersfield, Countess of Fareham, Duchess of Portsmouth. Two greyhounds flank a diamond ""fess argent and six coins azure"" topped with a ducal crown. The point of the diamond rests on a mascaron representing a bearded man wearing a crown among curlicue foliage. The carving illustrates a delicate and vigorous craftsmanship. The high relief of the sculpture, the manner in which the tails of the hounds and the volutes of foliage overflow their rightful frame, make for a very lively composition. Louis-Renée (1629-1734) was the mistress of Charles II of England for some 15 years and was equally a secret agent for King Louis XIV of France. Saint-Evremond said of her “the silk ribbon that she wore at her waist united France and England”. Born in Brittany she lived a simple life in the family Château of Kéroual en Guilders. Noticed by the Duke of Beaufort, grand master of navigation, who courted her in vain but promised to get her an appointment as lady-in-waiting to the Duchess of Orleans, the sister in law of King Louis XIV. He kept his promise post-mortem. Indeed in 1668, Louise Renée arrived in Versailles to serve Madame who was also the sister of Charles II of England. Louis XIV saw Louise Renée as a useful diplomatic asset. She set off to England as lady-in-waiting to Madame who was visiting her brother. Charles II had little sympathy for France and even less so for its King, but he loved women, of which Louis XIV was fully aware. The reception in Dover in honor of Madame was extravagant and Louise Renée attracted the eye of Charles II. The Treaty of Dover linked the two kingdoms: Charles II officially converted to Catholicism and receives the sum of two million crowns from Louis XIV. Both Kings would declare war on the United provinces and share the conquered provinces. Madame offered a jewel to her brother to thank him for his gifts and Louise-Renée was the messenger; as she handed him the gift, the King took her hand and is said to have declared : “This is the only real jewel I desire.” Upon her arrival in Versailles, Louis XIV sent her directly back to London where she was expected. She lived in a huge apartment in the palace of Whitehall where the King visited her every evening. She was officially made Lady-in-waiting to the Queen of England in 1671. In 1672 she gave birth to Charles Lennox, duke of Richmond and was granted an annuity of 138 000 pounds, the titles of Duchess of Fareham, Baroness of Petersfield and Duchess of Portsmouth. Her influence lasted 15 years until the death of the King in 1685. In 1684, on the request of Charles II, Louis XIV made her Duchess of Aubigny and Peer of France. This same year she acquired the Château of Trémazan (Finistère) which she linked to the lands of Kéroual. Louis-Renée died in Paris, rue des Saints Pères on November 14th 1734, having lost most of her fortune. Two similar models are preserved in the Musée d'Orléans and in the Musée du Berry in Bourges.

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.11309
Gabriel VIARDOT, Desk with a Buddhist monk, signed and dated 1886

This beautiful sloping desk is signed by Gabriel Viardot and dated in 1886. The presence of a date on a piece by Gabriel Viardot is a point in itself and worth noting. The great quality of production of this sloping desk probably explains its presence. Faithful to the Japanese productions, this desk with classic construction has an assymetrical composition, notably in its upper part. In the center of it is a drawer around which shelves and cabinets are distributed. The box located in the lower part is closed by a door adorned with Tonkin mother of pearl inlays, an element reused according to a then customary practice. Below, a small square-shaped box is closed by a panel with a lacquer decor from Japan. An Buddhist monk is depicted there seated and dressed in a rich tunic with gilded motifs. His face is very meticulously represented, engraved in the ivory. The panel closing the desk is also decorated with inlaid Tonkin mother of pearl. The great quality of this desk and the attention to the decor that it presents make this piece an exceptional production of Gabriel Viardot.

Ref.13299
Pair of vases in malachite and gilt bronze, Russia, late 19th century

This beautiful pair of vases was made of gilt bronze and malachite. It's very likely a Russian work from the end of the 19th century. The belly of our vases was made of malachite and welcomes a Rococo style decoration of gilt bronze. The whole decoration was made of gilt bronze, like the handles which are also reminding of the Louis XV style as they are shaped of thin acanthus leaves scrolls, or even the neck where are attached the handles and the foot. Finally, from the neck a beautiful gilt bronze tulips bouquet springs while the vase rests on a small malachite square base. The malachite, is an intense green stone because of its high copper composition, which makes it very appreciated in the 19th century. This stone mainly comes from Russia where important deposit are known since the 17th century, we can name the one called Nijni Taguil, discovered in 1835 and exploited by the Count Demidoff (1812 - 1870). Used in bloc to create small objects, the malachite can't be used for big pieces as the ones we can make in marble. That's why the technic called “Rusian mosaïc” was invented during the second half of the 19th century : malachite strips are inlaid to create the illusion of a block , allowing to put this extraordinary color on walls, columns or other interior elements like in the Malachite Room in the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg. It's the Royal stone manufactory of Peterhof and Ekaterinbourg that develop this art which quickly seduces the aristocracy. This technic is discovered in France when Alexander I of Russia (1777 - 1825) gifted Napoléon Ier (1769 – 1821) a set of malachite element in 1808. Candelabras, big vases and basins are placed in the Emperor Room in Trianon, which became the “Malachite Room”. The new beauty of this sophisticated art creates an important enthusiasm which lasts during the entire 19th century.

Ref.14507
The Royal Macaw vase painted by Albert-Léon LEBARQUE and its original harness

Exemplary of the 19th century fascination with Asia, the decoration of this spectacular vase is the work of Albert-Léon Lebarque. Painter and sculptor, Lebarque is known for having designed the medals of the Compagnie du Chemin de Fer du Nord. Lebarque also worked as an earthenware painter for renowned ceramists, exhibiting in particular at universal exhibitions. Our vase is presented on its original saddle. Made of wood, it is characterized by its Japanese style, its complex shapes and its great elegance. The vase is decorated with a decoration very rich in patterns and colors, painted on enameled ceramic and signed by the artist. It combines blooming liliums, butterflies and a masterful macaw with its blue and gold dress. It is a royal parrot, an animal symbol of freedom, power and longevity in Asian culture. The chubby belly of our vase also features two grotesque heads, placed symmetrically. Their presence underlines the marvelous character of this setting.