STONE: Marble and Hardstones

STONE: Marble and Hardstones

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 87. A PAIR OF GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE FIGURES OF TRITON AND NEREID ASTRIDE MARBLE TURTLES, BY EDWARD F. CALDWELL & CO., NEW YORK CIRCA 1900.

Property from a Distinguished Private Collection

A PAIR OF GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE FIGURES OF TRITON AND NEREID ASTRIDE MARBLE TURTLES, BY EDWARD F. CALDWELL & CO., NEW YORK CIRCA 1900

Auction Closed

December 4, 11:48 AM GMT

Estimate

26,000 - 30,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Property from a Distinguished Private Collection

A PAIR OF GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE FIGURES OF TRITON AND NEREID ASTRIDE MARBLE TURTLES, BY EDWARD F. CALDWELL & CO., NEW YORK CIRCA 1900


the Nereid holding a lyre on one hand and a flaming cornucopia on the other; Triton holding a trident and a fish from whose mouth flames protrude; figure of Triton stamped C to underside 

50cm. high; 1ft. 7⅝in.


Please note that this lot will be sent to the warehouse after the sale.

Founded in New York City in 1895, Edward F. Caldwell & Co soon became one of the leading designers of decorative metalwork and electric light fixtures in the United States of America. Many of their pieces can be found in the most prestigious public buildings across the country, including the White House, the New York Public Library and the Rockefeller Center, as well as the residences of wealthy patrons such as John Pierpont Morgan and the Vanderbilts. Most of Caldwell's pieces were inspired by the styles of the French 18th century, and perfectly suited to the taste of America's grandest families, who at the time were building mansions in the Louis XV, or Louis XVI styles.


While the model for the Triton is reminiscent of similar if less lavishly decorated bronze lamps by the firm, this pair with figure of a Nereid on a finely carved turtle-shaped marble base has never been offered for sale before. It is probable that Caldwell drew inspiration for this design from a project for two fountains by Charles Le Brun (1619-1690) for Versailles, the sketches now in the Louvre (inv. no. INV30186-recto and INV30193-recto respectively).