A. Giroux, Paris. Gilt Bronze Inkwell. Chinese Scholar, Dragon Bamboo Gilt Bronze.19th Century

A rectangular gilt bronze inkwell with two inkwells.
The inkwell is decorated in its center with a statuette of a seated scholar in the "Chinese style" holding a scroll.
On either side of the figure, two small domes adorned with dragons pivot to conceal the inkwells, which are also present.
The bands are decorated with cartouches containing openwork bamboo foliage.
The ball feet can be unscrewed to compensate for uneven desks. Inscription on the upper rail: Alph. Giroux Paris.

Dimensions: 15.8 cm / Length: 24.3 cm / Width: 10.3 cm.
1670 gr
Condition: perfect.

The Alphonse Giroux company was sold to Duvinage in 1867, which led to a change in the signature.
The inkwell shown predates this period; its decoration is close to that of Charles X style pieces.

"Merchant and manufacturer of small decorative objects and cabinetmaking, Paris. Shop established around 1799 by François-Simon Alphonse Giroux (Paris, 1776-1848) at 7, rue du Coq-Saint-Honoré in Paris: trade in novelty items and stationery, supplies for daguerreotypes, then cabinetmaking from 1834, under the name Alphonse Giroux. Taken over in 1838 by his sons Alphonse Gustave (Paris, 1809-1886) and André (Paris, 1801-1879) under the business name Alphonse Giroux et Cie. Moved in 1857 to 43, boulevard des Capucines. Sold in 1867 to Duvinage and Harinbouck, and managed from then on 1870 by Ferdinand Duvinage alone, then by his widow from 1874 to 1882, and finally by A. Philippe and E. Arnut from 1883 to 1884. The former Giroux firm disappeared in 1885. See: From Still Image to Moving Image, 1820-1910: Acts of Parisian Notaries to Serve as a History of Photographers and Photography, Durand, 2015, vol. 1; Musée d'Orsay notice