Ref.10867
Léon MESSAGÉ (1842-1901) (att. to) - Antique Louis XV style clock

This Louis XV style clock in gilt bronze was made around 1900. Identifiable by its rococo-inspired style made of curves and twists, this cmock is attributed to Léon Messagé who made of this original aesthetic his signature. The mechanism of the clock is modern and the dial is signed « S. Colin & Cie » then « Paris 17, rue des Tournelles ». The decoration of these elements is very rich and complex and the ornamental repertoire is characteristic of the Rococo style. The dial is adorned with acanthus and laurel leaves curled like a crown. The lower part is devoted to the marine theme with shells, including a large overturned in the center, and two dolphins on each side, a motif often used by Léon Messagé. Remember that the French term « Rocaille », from which comes from « rococo », originally refers to ornamentation imitating rocks, natural stones and shells. Typical large curves of this aesthetic, set back on either side of the dial, support the structure of the object that ends with four sinuous feet on a finely decorated tray. A bearded man mask similar to a faun merges in the center into the decor. A certain extravagance emanates from this clock with very tormented lines. This impression of movement, already present in the Rococo style, takes a certain scale at the end of the 19th century when Art Nouveau imposes a quasi-organic aesthetic that is not unrelated to the Rococo style. But Léon Messagé remains above all a historicist artist and great interpreter of the Louis XV style as confirm the motifs used: acanthus leaves, laurel branches, curves and a winged putto with bow and quiver enthroned at the top of the clock.

Ref.3601
Beautiful antique Louis XVI style mantel in Orange veined marble in Skyros marble

This beautiful Louis XVI style antique fireplace was made during the 19th century. It is made of a marble from the Greek island Skyros.

Ref.12194
Important Louis XVI style woodwork, end of the 20th century

This important Louis XVI style woodwork was made at the end of the 20th century. The light yellow panels present an antique stucco decoration enhanced with a golden patina. The frame of the overmantel as well as those of the doors take the shape of a laurel torus. The decorative panels above the doors are adorned with attributes in foliage scrolls painted in gold on a white background. The doors are flanked by rectangular panels with interlacing gilded laurel leaves on a white font. The rest of the woodwork is composed of rectangular panels framed with various gold-colored friezes. Only one pair of doors is included in the set. More sizes available upon request.

Ref.14605
Large Napoleon III period trumeau with carved wood and stucco shell

Large Regency style overmantel with carved shell in wood and painted stucco.

Ref.14303
Louis XVI style rounded trumeau adorned with a garland of flowers

Ref.14682
The Opaline vase, the magic of BACCARAT in the 19th century

The Baccarat crystal factory, an internationally renowned French crystal factory, was founded under Louis XV. Our vase, made in the 19th century, is made of opaline. Opaque, this precious glass is decorated with a poetic and animal decoration painted by hand. It consists of tits, symbols of marital happiness and fidelity, frolicking on branches. The vase is encircled by a rich silvered bronze frame. It was designed specifically for this piece. This richly decorated object is the result of the combination of the magic of glass and crystal with the magic of bronze workers specialising in the decorative arts. The feet, known as "lion's paws", refer to the Renaissance imagination, which was very popular in the 19th century. The frame is decorated with figures and ornamental details of great refinement.

Ref.10856
Cristalleries du Val Saint-Lambert, Pair of vases with a Japanese landscape, circa 1880

This pair of black vases with gilded Japanese decoration was made by the Val Saint-Lambert crystal works around 1880. Founded in 1826, the Val Saint-Lambert crystal works reached its apogee in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The black colour of hyalite crystal is obtained by injecting slag or sulphur into the glass. This dark background enhances the gold-painted decoration. The combination of these two colours imitates Chinese or Japanese lacquer, which has fascinated European artists since the 18th century. In this way, these vases were part of the trend towards Japonism that marked the artistic world at the end of the 19th century. The gold-painted decoration, in relief in places, depicts a landscape of pagodas surrounded by palm trees and flown over by waders. The Musée du verre de Charleroi holds a vase very similar to this one, dated after 1879.

Ref.15731
GEOFFROY-DECHAUME, “Persian” Chandelier

Elegant eight-light chandelier made of finely chased and gilt bronze with oriental-inspired decoration. The central shaft takes the shape of an openwork incense burner, topped with a stylized flame. The elaborately adorned light arms feature pearls and interlacing motifs, incorporating fantastic animal figures and ending in openwork drip pans. The whole piece is suspended by a system of slender rods, accented with rings and Gothic-oriental motifs.

Ref.12394
Louis-Robert Carrier-Belleuse (1848–1913), Nymph with a Goat, Carrara marble

Drawing on the typology of Esmeralda representations popular in the second half of the 19th century, this Carrara marble sculpture depicts a young woman accompanied by a leaping goat. With her gaze turned toward the animal, the nymph raises her left arm and holds a garland of ivy in her hands. Louis-Robert Carrier-Belleuse transforms the theme of the alluring gypsy into a timeless work, whose idealized nude beauty recalls the spirit of Greek statuary. An identical sculpture was presented by Sotheby’s London in 2019 (sale L19230, lot 50). Signed “Carrier Belleuse,” that example also bears the inscription “Boudet, 43 boulevard des Capucines,” referring to the prosperous decorative arts firm Boudet, to which artists supplied a wide variety of works. The partially illegible inscription on our example suggests the name of a similar decorative arts retailer. As the Boudet firm was active from 1886 to 1908, this sculpture may be dated to that period.