LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 October Decorative Art Signature Auction #...  / 

33319

A Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze Mounted Columns

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Decorative Arts Start Price:22,500.00 USD Estimated At:90,000.00 - 120,000.00 USD
A Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze Mounted Columns
<B>An Important Pair of Empire Gris Poli Gilt Bronze Mounted Columns</B></I><BR><BR>Fabry & Utzschneider, Sarreguemines, France<BR>Circa 1810<BR>Marble, <I>gris polis</B></I> ceramic and gilt bronze<BR>Marked: impressed <I>Sarguemines</B></I><BR>82.75 in. tall<BR><BR>Of <I>gris poli</B></I> ceramic in imitation of porphyry, each column of six sections, with square green marble base, drum pedestal with gilt bronze base molding, tapering transitional drum with gilt bronze laurel wreath band, tapering shaft with gilt bronze palmettes at swell and at ringed reserve, plain tapering shaft, terminating in campana shaped urns.<BR><BR>The Sarreguemines pottery factory, based in Lorraine, France was founded in 1778 and continued its production until the end of the nineteenth century. It specialized in cream-colored earthenware and stoneware, building its success on imitating English earthenware and stoneware. In 1792 Francois-Paul Utzschneider (1771-1844) joined into partnership with the owner of the factory Joseph Fabry. Utzschneider was the creative force in the partnership, quickly becoming considered the most important and original designer in France. In 1809 the factory was awarded a Gold Medal at the <I>Produits de l'Industrie</B></I> exhibition for their vases in the newly discovered composition of pulverized stone in imitation of porphyry, basalt, jasper and other precious stones. At the exhibition their products attracted the attention of Baron Vivant-Denon, Directeur General du Musee Napoleon who decided to employ the firm on an Imperial Commission. By August 1810, the project had evolved into an order for eight pairs of candelabras or torchieres of two different designs, and twenty-two pair of vases of four different designs. This pair of columns, though not part of the Imperial Commission, are of related design.
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