Ref.14629
Circular bench for the perimeter of a tree

Cylindrical tree bench made of wrought iron in the late 19th or early 20th century.

Ref.5840
Empire period fireplace in Griotte Red marble, bronzes (attributed to Thomire)

This Empire period fireplace is made of Rouge Griotte marble, known for its deep color and highly prized under Napoleon I. The gilded bronzes that adorn the fireplace are attributed to the bronzier Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843), renowned for his sculptures and his major role in the diffusion of the Empire taste (1804-1830). These finely chiseled ornaments represent busts of caryatids. These female figures generally support entablatures in ancient temples. Similarly, here they support the fireplace top and are placed above the jambs that recall the pillars of these ancient buildings. The simplicity of the decorations and the antique forms are indeed an ideal model in Empire period furniture. The upper band is surmounted by a top that was possibly modified after the production of the fireplace.

Ref.15689
Louis XVI style trumeau with mythological scene

Ref.5900
Jules CANTINI (attributed to), Regency style fireplace with palmette and scroll, in Vitrolles red

This fireplace was made at the end of the 19th century in Rouge de Vitrolles marble. It is decorated at the center of the frieze with a finely carved palmette, framed on either side by a flowering branch extending along the front. The flowers are sculpted in very high relief, with great attention to detail. At the corners of the frieze, a spiral adorned with leaves extends down toward the legs of the fireplace, where a molded pattern of alternating curves and counter-curves unfolds. Rouge de Vitrolles, also known as Rouge étrusque, is a limestone marble quarried on the Vitrolles plateau in the Bouches-du-Rhône region of southern France. It features a distinctive red hue, sometimes veined with white or yellow. This material was used in the 19th century in architecture and decorative arts. It was notably exploited by Jules Cantini for several projects in Marseille. The quarry is still known today as the Vila quarry. The use of this marble for fireplaces is relatively rare. The exceptional quality of the decorative carving on this piece suggests a connection to the workshop of Jules Cantini. He was the sole known operator of the quarry at the time and was highly active in decorative sculpture. These elements suggest that this fireplace may have been produced in his workshop in the last quarter of the 19th century.