Alphonse Giroux House (attributed To), Bronze Smoking Set, 19th Century

A brown patinated bronze smoking set decorated with satyrs, bacchantes, and fantastical creatures smoking pipes. It consists of a central piece in the form of a censer surmounted by two figures in acrobatic poses and flanked by two fauns. The upper section unscrews, revealing a receptacle for oil, allowing a wick to be lit via tubes leading to the fauns' mouths. Between their feet are two match receptacles shaped like inverted bells. The entire piece rests on a wide circular base. This is a variation of a model featured in the Maison Giroux catalogue, number 25, a pair of which is currently held at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.

Founded in 1799 by François-Simon-Alphonse Giroux (1776-1858), Maison Giroux specialized in creating luxury furniture and objets d'art for a clientele drawn from the aristocracy and the upper middle class. Their creations were notably inspired by the 18th century, the Troubadour style, and Japonism. Maison Giroux participated in the 1855 Universal Exhibition, where they presented a bonheur du jour (a type of writing desk) entirely covered in climbing plants, which was acquired by Empress Eugénie. Taken over by Alphonse Giroux's children after his death, the company changed hands several times before closing in 1885.

Good condition.
Napoleon III period.

Dimensions:
H: 31 cm
W: 19 cm
D: 17 cm