A gilt-bronze centerpiece attributed to either Pierre-François Feuchère or Thomire et Cie Empire, circa 1815

with a pierced tapering basket held aloft by three winged putti, on a stepped cylindrical base cast with leaftips; drilled for electricity

In overall good original condition. Would benefit from a slight clean according to taste. Old very minor marks, stains and scratches consistent with age and use.
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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, p. 384, pl. 5.16.5and pl. 5.16.6.

This centerpiece closely follows a design attributed to the workshop of Pierre-François Feuchère (1737-1832, elected maître in 1763), which is now in the Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris, and illustrated op. cit., p. 384, pl. 5.16.5. A very similar model of centerpiece with three putti supporting a pierced basket from a private collection in Munich is also illustrated in pl. 5.16.6.

Pierre-François Feuchère was sworn into the the guild of ciseleurs-doreurs in 1767. Feuchère was a member of a prominent family of gilders, who along with his father supplied gilt bronzes to the Royal family. The family firm survived the Revolution and continued successfully through the Empire and Restauration periods.

A pair of closely related centerpieces attributed to Feuchère sold anonymously, Christie's, New York, 22 May 2002, lot 310.

Examples of this model have also been attributed to Thomire et Cie, the firm founded by Pierre-Philippe Thomire, one of the most celebrated fondeur-doreurs of the Empire period. A closely related set of four centerpieces, with variations to the baskets and the bases, from an extensive princely surtout de table attributed to Thomire et Cie, sold by descent from King Vittorio Emanuele at Sotheby's, London, 13 June 2001, lot 397. These were reputedly from the collection of Louis Philippe at the Palais Royal, Paris. A further related pair from the same source sold in the same sale, lot 399.

An almost identical centerpiece attributed to either Feuchère or Thomire was sold Christie's, New York, 21st November 2008, lot 12.