Ref.10370
Important antique fireback with Jean Bouhier de Savigny coat of arms, first half of the 18th century

Importante and beautiful antique cast iron fireback with Jean Bouhier de Savigny coat of arms supported by two greyhounds. Made in the first half of the 18th century. Jean Bouhier de Savigny was President of Parliament of Burgundy since 1704. He was also a historian, translator, scholar and bibliophile. He resigned his post in Parliament in 1728 to devote himself to his historical and literary work following his election to the French Academy in 1727. He died in 1746. A similar fireback is kept at the Troyes Museum.

Ref.11386
Christophe FRATIN (1801-1864), Taureau à la grenouille (A Bull With a Frog)

Between 1839 and 1849 (?) Chef-modèle made out of patinated bronze, base in Rouge Griotte marble. Signed « Fratin », « Fonderie de L. Richard Eyck et Durand » engraved on the base. Dimensions : L. 47 cm / 18’’ 1/2 ; H. 23 cm / 9’’ 1/16 ; P. 26 cm / 10’’ 1/4 REF. 11386 This sculpture was made out of bronze during the 19th century by the famous animal sculptor Christophe Fratin. It represents a young bull moving and more specifically chasing the little frog it has on his back. An other amphibian is set on the base. The reason why this sculpture has so many sharp details is that it is a chef-modèle (original mould) allowing the reproduction of the sculpture in order to produce commercial copies. Indeed, the details lose their quality during the overmoulding process so the chef-modèle is sculpted so as to prevent this loss. When the piece is not meant to be cast in one go, it has to be dismantle so there are bolts which link the different parts of the piece as is the case here. The quality of the beautiful brown patina should be underlined. After the 1848 Revolution, the downturn of the art market forces Fratin to sell his works during auctions, most of the time with their publishing rights which is extremeley rare for a 19th century’s sculptor. Our sculpture has been reassembled with the bolts which were added for the purpose of the sale. We don’t know any copy that would have been made from this chef-modèle, making it particularly unique. In the catalogue of one of these auctions (in July 1849), a « Taureau à la grenouille » (Bull With a Frog) is mentioned, so we can date our sculpture from before 1849.

Ref.11960
Pair of Louis XVI style double doors

Pair of Louis XVI style double doors, made in the first half of the 20th century. The dimensions differ slightly. The back of the first one is flat, the back of the second one is Louis XV style.

Ref.14327
18th century Louis XV style fireback representing the Queen of France Marie Leczinska

18th century Louis XV style fireback depicting the French Queen Marie Leczinska. Three similar firebacks are reproduced in Henri Carpentier's book "Plaques de Cheminées" on page 456. One was found in the Hôtel de Chastellux in Paris, demolished in 1903. Another is kept in the Musée Saint-Jean in Angers.