Lot 101
  • 101

A LOUIS XVI GILT-BRONZE MOUNTED CARVED WHITE MARBLE VASE ATTRIBUTED TO PIERRE GOUTHIÈRE |

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 EUR
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Description

  • Haut. 43,5 cm, larg. 23 cm ; height 17 1/4 in., width 9 in.
the body carved with a putti bacchanale, the snake shape handles, on a square porphyry base; (the cover missing and the stem associated)

Provenance

Former collection of Richard Penard y Fernandez, sold Paris, étude Ader, 7 December 1960, lot 89

Condition

The photograph is quite accurate. As said, the cover is missing and the copper stem is associated. The stem is now with a crack. One garland is restored (a soldering on the reverse). Otherwise, good overall condition. The gilt-bronze mounts with a beautiful gilding and an exquisite chasing. Only the small flowers between the laurel leaves are tarnished in places and a few of them are redone (not distracting). The marble finely carved with very few small stains and very tiny chips on the upper edge. Very attractive vase 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. 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."

Catalogue Note

The extraordinary chiseling on this vase's mounts and the richness of their gilding is typical of Pierre Gouthière's work (1744-1818) who knew how to give life to each flower and leaf garlands. The snakes also have a rendering of a rare finesse with their scales chiseled one by one in a genuine concern for reality. We also find on these fittings the "mat gilding" technique so unique with Gouthière. This new method allowed Gouthière to obtain an infinitely softer and subtle finish, a process he developed to play in contrast to glossy surfaces. This technique is deeply studied by Joseph Golda in C. Vignon and C. Baulez « Pierre Gouthière Ciseleur du Roi », Paris, 2016, p.128-130. His training with the famous goldsmith François-Thomas Germain certainly helped to develop this procedure which was very expensive, therefore reserved for the wealthiest collectors including the royal family, the Count of Artois, the Duke of Aumont, the Duchess of Mazarin and Madame du Barry.  

This vase is probably the result of a collaboration with an ornamentalist such as Bellanger with whom he worked regularly for the Duke of Aumont. The white marble frieze with children playing draws inspiration from Clodion's work. We know from the latter several terracotta models with infants frolicking comparable to ours, designed as an allegory of the seasons (see L. Poulet and G. Scherf, Clodion, Paris, 1992, p. 82-88). This theme was very popular with sculptors, probably due to the engraving of one of Clodion's vases by Jean-Jacques Bachelier published in Ornements de l'Ecole de Dessin.

 

The Penard y Fernandez Collection

 

Former Argentine diplomat in office before WWI, Richard Penard y Fernandez is known for his extraordinary Parisian collection of French 18th century decorative arts. His apartment on Rue Cognacq-Jay was full of treasures and there are countless donations to French museums such as Versailles (Thomire's pair of firedogs for the Peace Room) and the Louvre (the famous pair of blue vernis Martin corner cabinets delivered by Thomas-Joachim Hébert in 1743 for the "blue room" in Château de Choisy).