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A very fine pair of Empire gilt and patinated bronze and rouge griotte marble figural six-light candelabra by Pierre-François Feuchère, each with a classically draped female figure in almost contraposto pose holding a baton in one hand and in the other aloft a foliate wrapped vase-shaped stem issuing a central upright branch with a spiralled finial above five scrolled and curved trumpet-shaped branches with vase-shaped sockets and circular drip-pans, each figure standing on a rectangular gilt bronze banded rouge griotte plinth cast on each side with ribbon-tied wreaths enclosing musical trophies on a stepped foliate cast gilt bronze base
Paris, date circa 1805
Height 95 cm. each.
Provenance: From an important private German collection.
Literature: Hans Ottomeyer and Peter Pröschel, “Vergoldete Bronzen”, 1986, p. 334, pl. 5.2.14, illustrating one of the present candelabra when in the collection of the same important private German collector as noted above.
These or identical models of these magnificent candelabra remained in Pierre-François Feuchère’s stock at the time of his death; they were subsequently sold and were included in the illustrated sale catalogue of his remaining collection of 29th January 1829 lot 78, described as ‘Trois paires de girandoles à figures dites jambes croisées avec groupes de six lumières; elles sont dorées et au vert....190 and 206 [francs]’
The Parisian bronzier Pierre-François Feuchère (1737-1823) established one of the most important and largest workshops for the production of luxurious gilt bronzes during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. Like Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843), Feuchère’s firm made and supplied important pieces to Napoleon and his Imperial family as well as members from the German, Russian, and Spanish courts. Received as a maître ciseleur-doreur in 1763, Pierre-François was the son of Pierre Feuchère who had been attached to the king’s stables where he made gilt bronzes and other works for the royal carriages and coaches. In turn Pierre-François was employed by the Garde-Meuble to execute many works for the royal châteaux. In 1784 he was joined by his own son Lucien-François (fl. 1784-1824), who subsequently became a director of the business during the late eighteenth century and working alongside his father at their Paris workshop at rue Notre Dame de Nazareth propelled the business to rival the very best and continued as such until 1824.
In 1807 the local governor described Feuchère’s business as one of the most important in Paris and bestowed upon it a grant of 100,000 francs. The majority of Feuchère’s work was commissioned by the Garde-Meuble. In addition to gilt bronze decorations for ceremonial carriages, the firm made a number of bronzes to furnish the Châteaux at Compiègne and Meudon and the Tuileries, counting among them quantities of light fittings as well as girandoles, clock cases and a fireplace for the Tuileries as well as other pieces for the duchesse de Berry’s apartments. Orders included bronze fittings for the Imperial children’s apartments as well as for the Grand Salon and for the ballroom in 1812-13. Feuchère also undertook the restoration of all the gilded carvings in the Grand apartments and chapel at Versailles.
The Russian court commissioned the firm to make a number of light fittings as well as ornate furniture and various bronzes for Paul I. Feuchère also supplied the Spanish court with bronzes for carriages, and other works including two equestrian with King Charles IV in silver and in bronze. Other foreign commissions included candelabra, wall lights and bronze fittings for the brother of Ludwig XVIII, who lived at Pavillon von Marsan. In 1819 the firm further distinguished itself at the Exposition Industrie, where it was awarded a silver medal. On presenting his prize the King specifically endorsed his appreciation of the magnificent display. Pierre-François and Lucien-François were both very keen art collectors and acquired a number of pieces from Versailles after the Revolution. The year after Pierre-François’ death, Lucien-François as well as the latter’s son Armand (b. 1797 d. after 1860) and his son-in-law, André-Julien Fossey joined together to begin a thriving concern known as Feuchères et Fossey.
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