Pair Of Andirons With Lionesses

Imperial Model – Attributed to Antoine-André Ravrio (1759–1814) Exceptional pair of andirons in gilt and patinated bronze, attributed to Antoine-André Ravrio, one of the most eminent Parisian bronze workers of the early 19th century, active during the Consulate and the Empire. Each andiron features a reclining lioness, treated with great neoclassical restraint, resting on a finely chiseled, architecturally designed rectangular base in gilt bronze. The modeling of the wild animals, with their powerful volumes and clean lines, reflects the archaeological and Egyptianizing taste characteristic of imperial aesthetics, directly inspired by the famous ancient lions of the Capitoline Hill in Rome. The bases are adorned with a rich relief decoration, composed of a radiating central rosette, framed by facing palmettes and symmetrical scrolls, resting on a lower frieze with alternating stylized leaves and geometric motifs. The whole demonstrates a remarkable quality of execution, both in the fineness of the chasing and in the preservation of the original mercury gilding, simply cleaned, which today offers a subtle contrast between matte and glossy areas. The elements bear several workshop marks, including crossed-out old numbers replaced by a final reference “M.670”, as well as a figurative hallmark accompanied by the letter “B” and the number “76”, typical of the practices of Parisian bronze workers at the beginning of the 19th century. This model belongs to the corpus Bronze furniture pieces made for imperial residences, now preserved notably at the Mobilier National and in the collections of the Château de Fontainebleau, where comparable types of andirons with animal figures inspired by Antiquity can be found. Dimensions: Length: 39.5 cm Width: 15.5 cm Height: 32 cm