Auguste-Maximilien Delafontaine 1813-1892 A pair of gilt bronze mounted kingwood and vernis-Martin decorated pedestals, Paris, last quarter 19th century

each surmounted by a brèche violette marble top, and decorated to the four sides by Watteau-style painted scenes, one bronze mount has been removed to reveal the mark AD from the bronze master model 

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 works of art of the highest quality and was a main competitor of the Barbedienne foundry.

The vernis-Martin technique became popular again in the later years of the 19th century. Patented by Guillaume and Simon-Etienne Martin in 1748, it was developed to imitate Far Eastern, particularly Japanese, lacquerware. The process uses copal and amber varnishes which are layered onto the desired surface.  The varnish is then polished with pumice powder and sealed with oil to create a smooth, glossy finish.  Many 19th century painters added a craquelure to the varnish to imitate the original varnish of the Martin brothers as seen over 100 years earlier.