A PAIR OF LOUIS XV ORMOLU-MOUNTED PATINATED BRONZE FIGURES OF SWANS, PROBABLY DELIVERED BY LAZARE DUVAUX circa 1755, on later bases

One swan with neck loose. Base of same swan loose in ormolu base due to the lack of one peg supporting the base from the underside. Patinated with some light rubbing; not extensive. Ormolu bases with some rubbing, some oxidation and surface dirt. Painted decoration of bases with minor chips; most chips now restored with later paint. In good overall condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The design for these swans was most likely inspired by Meissen prototypes. In fact, models of the mute swan, native to Europe and Asia, are recorded as having been worked on by Johann Joachim Kändler with the assistance of Peter Reinicke in November 1747. Meissen porcelain swans were most often fitted in ormolu to serve as candelabra once imported into France, such as the pair sold Property from the Collections of Lily and Edmond J. Safra, Sotheby's New York, October 19, 2011, lot 763. Apart from the present lot, there are only two other known existing French 18th century adaptations in bronze of the Meissen swan figures: one in ormolu, almost certainly delivered for Madame de Pompadour for her remodeled bathroom at the hôtel d'Evreux, later in the Riahi collection and subsequently sold Christie's New York, November 2, 2000, lot 5 and another pair, also in ormolu, formerly in the collection of the Marquess of Cholmondeley, sold Christie's London, December 8, 1994, lot 16. Whereas the swans delivered to Madame de Pompadour were used as chenets, the others show no signs of ever being fitted as andirons and thus were most likely intended as sculptures. Even though there are small differences among these three pairs, it is most likely that they were all produced after Meissen models and possibly by the same craftsman. Madame de Pompadour's feux à cygnes were delivered by the famed marchand-mercier Lazare Duvaux, who would have commissioned the figures from a modeleur or sculpteur. Unfortunately, neither the marquise's nor the present swans can be attributed to a particular maker, but Duvaux is known to have worked with a number of prominent bronziers such as Leroy, Buron, Gallien, Paffe, Vassout, Osmond and Jacques Caffiéri. The latter was much favored by Madame de Pompadour and it would be safe to assume that Duvaux turned to him to fulfill the marquise's commission. However, Caffiéri's inventories do not mention swan figures and thus this group of gilt and patinated bronze figures cannot be attributed to him with certainty either.