A pair of French gilt-bronze and patinated bronze chenets, after the model by Pierre Gouthière or Quentin-Claude Pitoin second quarter 19th century

each in the form of a flaming athénienne supported by hoof monopodiae surmounted by rams' masks and flanked by winged sphinxes, the shaped plinth mounted to the centre with the mask of Apollo flanked by cornucopiae and panels depicting thunderbolts, against a red lacquered background, on leaf-cast tapering feet, with some later applied brackets to the backs

Overall very good condition. Some later applied iron brackets to the back of each chenet to attach iron fire rests. One chenet lacking two rams` masks from edge of the rim. Both originally with chains hanging from supports on the urn, now lacking. One foot loose. Two tassels missing from the underside of one sphinx. The red enamelling on both is dirty and rather worn. The foliate scroll flaking the athénienne is loose and slightly bent. Most elements are slightly loose and could benefit from tightening up. Both are currently in very dirty condition with wear to gilding throughout and could benefit from cleaning according to taste.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Comparative Literature:
Hans Ottomeyer/Peter Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, Vol. I, page 276, fig. 4.11.14.
Christian Baulez, La Folie d`Artois, Paris, 1988, page 143.
Pierre Verlet, Les Bronzes dorés français du XVIIIe siècle, France, 1987, page 313, ill. fig. 345.

The design of the present pair of chenets is based closely on Louis XVI examples  known to have been made either by Pierre Gouthière or Quentin-Claude Pitoin.

Pierre Gouthière (1732-1813/14) was the most famous ciseleur-doreur of the Louis XVI period. He became a maître doreur  and carried out gilding for François-Thomas Germain, one of the most celebrated orfèvres of his era. Gouthière also undertook a considerable amount of work for Madame du Barry especially for her Pavilion de Louveciennes and amongst his principal patrons were the duc d`Aumont and his daughter, the duchesse du Mazarin and also the Comte d`Artois, later Charles X, for whom he made the chimney mounts and other bronzes d`ameublement for the Château de Bagatelle. The Château de Bagatelle contained some versions of the present lot which have been thought to be by Gouthière.

A further pair of 18th century chenets the design of which is closely related to the present lot, was a pair attributed to Gouthière at the Joseph Duruey sale on 18^th March 1794.

Quentin-Claude Pitoin was a fondeur-doreur who became a mâitre in 1752  is also known to have supplied chenets similar to the present model for the petit-appartement of  Marie-Antoinette at Versailles and also for her cabinet des Tuileries and also for the cabinet of Madame Elizabeth also at Versailles.

There are several period examples of this celebrated model in international museums, with minor variations, including a pair in the Museum of Cleveland (which belonged to Sir Richard Wallace) with a blue-coloured frieze.