The Beurdeley family was one of the most important furniture and bronze production dynasties of the 19th century. They brought their art to a level of excellence rarely matched and which they maintained for three generations from 1818 to 1895. Particularly renowned for the quality of their gilt-bronze mounts, their systematic use of mercury gilding and their talent for chiseling enabled them to perpetuate the tradition of excellence from the 18th century.

This serie of appliques is inspired by a two branches model formerly in the Prince Anatole Demidoff collection at San Donato palace in Florence, sold at auction in 1880 and now at the Detroit Institute of Arts (see H. Ottomeyer, P. Pröschel et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. I, p. 291, fig. 4.16.12). Louis-Auguste-Alfred Beurdeley and his son Alfred-Emmanuel-Louis were renowned for their scholarly interpretation of the Louis XVI models: C. Mestdagh suggests that Alfred-Emmanuel, "by his perfect knowledge of the 18th century, was the best of his time in copying and interpreting styles" (in L'Ameublement d'art français 1850-1900, Paris, 2010, p. 13). Due to their technical virtuosity, the Beurdeleys appeared as the heirs of late 18th century bronze artisans.