BOLMANI

CIRCA 1860


A FINE LOUIS XV STYLE BRONZE MOUNTED MARBLE FIREPLACE WITH BRONZE MOUNTS DEPICTING FLORA AND ZEPHYR, AFTER THE MODEL BY VERBERCKT AND CAFFIERI AT VERSAILLES

This rare and impressive fireplace has a Breche Violette mantle over an arched lintel centering on a bronze coquille mount, issuing scrolling acanthus and foliate vines. The jambs are mounted with patinated bronze Herm figures .The jambs are raised on a stepped base with gilt-bronze foliate and cartouche mounts.

The fireplace is based on a chimney-piece by Jacques Verberckt with gilt bronze mounts by Jacques Caffiéri, supplied for the bedchamber of the Dauphin at Versailles in 1747. A very similar nineteenth century example with gilt-bronze and dark patinated bronze figures of Flora and Zephyr to the jambs, is in the Wallace Collection, Hertford House, London. 

Weight:
Dimension: 127cm (high) 226cm x 48cm
Material:
Country: France
CIRCA 1860

Artist Biography:

Jacques Verberckt (1704-1771) was a sculptor and decorator of Flemish French origin. Born in Antwerp
to a family of silversmiths, he moved to Paris in 1716 and took up a position in the Bâtiments du Roi, as
an ornamental sculptor and virtuoso carver. He gained favour with the Premier Architecte du Roi, Jacques Gabriel V, and his son Ange-Jacques Gabriel and worked on many of the royal châteaux. He was approved (agréé) by the Académie Royale in 1733.

Jacques Caffieri (1678-1755) was the tenth son of Phillippe Caffieri (1634-1716), who emigrated from Naples at the request of Cardinal Mazarin to decorate the interiors at Versailles. He was elected to the Académie de Sainte-Luc as a sculptor, and thus created many of the original designs that were proprietary models of his foundry.

From 1736, when he was appointed fondeur-ciseleur des Bâtiments du Roi, Caffieri remained in the employ of the French Crown. 

  • Code: R979

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