Inkwell Sculpture In Silvered Bronze "putt With Drums" Marnyhac Paris 19th Century

A rare and fascinating collector's item, this rectangular double Sculpture inkwell depicts a "Putto with Drums" of striking vivacity and expressiveness. The delicately draped child sits confidently on a large antique armchair. The high, rounded back of this seat is adorned with ribbons, while the sides feature elegant scrolled consoles, embellished with refined fluting and interlacing. In both raised hands, the putto holds tambourines, ready to cheerfully strike two tripod drums that constitute the cups of the inkwell. The latter are richly decorated with fine draperies, delicate trimmings, knots, and lines of twisted rope. Cleverly concealed within this drum decoration, the ink receptacles open at the top, revealing sumptuous interiors with their original blue crystal lining. The whole rests elegantly on a large carpet with a floral pattern, where olive trees, ears of wheat and poppies are displayed, all framed by a neat border. The front part is distinguished by a hollow molded receptacle which served as a pen tray. It rests on four feet, two rounded and flat at the front and two sheaths and moldings at the back. Numerous moldings make up the inkwell, in Cavet, rounded, flat, square, with ribbons. Signed on the back of the Maison Marnyhac 26 Avenue de l'Opéra Paris. Louis XVI neo-Classical style 19th century period circa 1880. Dimensions: Width 25.5 cm Height 18 cm Depth 15 cm Condition report: Magnificent assembly, Very good condition, Disassembled set cleaned, anti-oxidation treated, Superb original silver plating. Traces of use and age (especially 2 at the bottom of the pencil case due to use). A very slight small point of wear on the lid inside an inkwell, not visible when closed. Worldwide delivery, Secure parcel, Tracking, Insurance. History Bibliography: "Nothing weak, everything for Art" Motto The house of Marnyhac et Cie is a company manufacturing and trading bronze art which appears at the initiative of the artist Jacques Elie Edmond Armand de Marnyhac known as Charles de Marnyhac (1840-1897) around 1865. The history of this house is very little documented until today and yet considered the direct competitor of Barbedienne. The house also participated in its beginnings at the Universal Exhibition of 1867 where it won a bronze medal, then at that of 1878 where it was rewarded this time with the gold medal and the Legion of Honor. the Illustrated Catalogue of the 1882 Salon (pp. 295-296): "A department store should be like a museum: nothing is weak, everything is for Art; only improvements should be found there, and each work is made to serve as a sample and model on occasion (...) Enter these stores on the Avenue de l'Opéra, and you will see all the most varied pieces of furniture already arranged as if for an installation." A large number of the most elegant private mansions on the Plaine Monceau and the suburbs were then furnished by the house, as well as the Hôtel Continental (now The Westin Paris-Vendôme) and the Hôtel du Figaro. We can also read in the Illustrated Catalogue of the 1886 Salon (volume 6) that "Anyone who wants to furnish a hotel, by bringing together furniture in which nothing clashes, could not take a more experienced guide than M. de Marnyhac. » Nevertheless, the majority of the house's production is based on the reproduction of modern sculptures, of which Charles de Marnyhac was one of the most ardent propagators. Like its competitors, it tries to satisfy its clientele through collaborations with renowned contemporary artists, who are then the real contribution to its success. We can notably cite Eugène Piat (1827-1903), Auguste Clésinger (1814-1883), Alexandre Falguière (1831-1900) or Edouard Lièvre (1828-1886). Decorative element that can find its place other than on a desk.