a gilt-bronze tripod charger cast by the Delafontaine foundry Paris, circa 1880

the charger cast and chased with allegorical and historical reserves, the raised center decorated with a medallion of Mars flanked by War and Peace and Abundance and Envy, the rim ornamented with alternating grottesques and vignettes of the five continents and famous rulers of antiquity, one paw foot stamped A.D. Delafontaine and further mark AD on the underside of each foot.

the Delafontaine bronze factory was first established in the late 18th century by Jean-Baptiste-Maximilien Delafontaine (b.1750).  The present lot was cast under the direction of Jean-Baptiste's grandson, Auguste-Maximilien. In 1870 the firm was located 10 Rue de L’Université. The firm produced decorative work of art of the highest quality and was a main competitor of the Barbedienne foundry.