Set Of Three Centerpieces (ornaments) Made Of Gilded Bronze And Cut Glass, E Style

An exceptional and highly refined three-piece French Empire table set, comprising a large centerpiece and a pair of matching fruit bowls; the set is attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843), Paris, circa 1810.
Crafted in richly gilded bronze and adorned with finely hand-cut glass bowls, the set attests to the exceptional quality of casting, chiseling, and finishing characteristic of the greatest Parisian bronze casters of the First Empire.
The monumental centerpiece takes the form of an elegant two-tiered composition: cut-glass bowls rest on a complex gilded bronze structure, adorned with motifs characteristic of the Empire style and supported by finely modeled claw feet.
The pair of fruit bowls that completes the set echoes this same sophisticated decorative vocabulary, creating a striking visual harmony.
Although the pieces are unsigned, their attribution to Pierre-Philippe Thomire is based on the existence of very similar models appearing in contemporary drawings and archival documents related to Thomire and his workshop. This attribution is therefore based on stylistic and documentary criteria rather than on the presence of the artist’s signature.
Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843) was one of the most famous French bronze casters of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His workshop gained particular renown during the Empire for its exceptionally sophisticated decorative objects and gilded bronze furnishings, intended for the elite of European society.
The combination of finely chiseled gilded bronze and hand-cut glass, together with the fact that all three matching pieces have been preserved, gives this set a particularly imposing and luxurious appearance.
A rare and refined example of tableware from the First Empire, ideal for adorning a large dining table, a console table, a ceremonial parlor, or for enriching a collection of French decorative arts. Attribution
Attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843)
Origin
Paris, France
Period
First Empire, circa 1810
Style
Empire
Materials
Gilded bronze and hand-cut glass
Dimensions
Large centerpiece:
Height: 43 cm
Diameter: 27 cm
Pair of fruit bowls—each:
Height: 20 cm
Diameter: 23 cm
Condition
Good period condition, consistent with the object’s age. The gilded bronze retains a beautiful period patina, with light wear. The hand-cut glass bowls show signs of wear due to age. One of the glass bowls has an old repair; please examine the photographs carefully to assess the condition of the set.
Sold as a complete three-piece set consisting of a large centerpiece and a pair of matching fruit bowls.
Keywords: Pierre-Philippe Thomire, Thomire, French Empire, Empire centerpiece, gilded bronze, ormolu, cut glass, First Empire, French bronzes, Parisian bronzes, fruit bowls, tableware, circa 1810, Florin Antiques.