Bronze Trim

A magnificent and imposing 19th-century gilt-bronze mantel garniture (featuring exquisite original gilding), comprising three pieces: a central clock and two elegant allegorical female figures.The style is reminiscent of Émile Louis Picault (1833–1915), a French sculptor renowned for his allegorical figures—particularly those evoking science, knowledge, and progress.This remarkable set is distinguished by its rich composition, finely detailed chasing, and the great elegance of its subjects. The central clock is surmounted by a graceful female figure in classical style, seated in a meditative pose and clad in drapery with delicately rendered folds. The black dial, featuring gilt Roman numerals, is set within an ornate architectural frame embellished with scrolls, floral garlands, and finely chased motifs. Flanking the clock, two superb female sculptures harmoniously complete the ensemble. The first represents an allegory of Science and Astronomy, evoking knowledge, study, and discovery. The second depicts a female figure delicately holding a butterfly—a traditional symbol of the soul and Psyche—in a composition imbued with poetry and refinement. The figures share stylistic and iconographic affinities with the work of a 19th-century French artist celebrated for allegorical compositions dedicated to science, knowledge, and classical ideals; notably, one of the figures bears a resemblance to a known model by this artist. The entire set rests on black marble bases accented with gilt-bronze ornaments, creating a striking contrast between the materials. A particularly decorative mantel garniture of impressive presence, reflecting the taste and craftsmanship of French workshops from the second half of the 19th century. Commentaires