Beschreibung:

DescriptionA pair of Louis XVI gilt and patinated bronze chenets, late 18th century, in the manner of Philippe Caffieri
cast with a patinated bronze dog and cat respectively, each seated upon a gilt-bronze cushioneach 36cm. high, 30cm. wide, 16.5cm. deep; 1ft. 2⅛in., 11⅞in., 6½in.Condition reportIn overall good condition and ready to place. Generally with minor old marks, scuffs and scratches consistent with age and use. Some rubbing to edges of patinated bronze and hair of animals, and some minor oxidization in places. Cat: some residual glue from an old label (now removed) to back of chenet
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.ProvenanceSotheby's, Monaco, 23-24 June 1976, lot 146.Catalogue noteThis celebrated and charming model, created by Jacques Caffiéri and his son Philippe circa 1770, epitomize the late Louis XV/early Louis XVI styles moving from the inventiveness of the rococo towards neoclassicism.
Svend Eriksen records that Philippe's father, Jacques, had models for a pair of cat and dog firedogs in stock as early as in 1755 when an inventory of his stock was drawn (see S. Eriksen, Early Neo-Classicism in France, London, 1974, p. 357). The inventory dated from 1770 of Philippe's workshop lists too a pair of chenets in the shape of a cat and dog: "no. 33 Un feu a chien et à chat" (see S. Eriksen, op. cit., p. 278). Philippe also supplied a pair to the Prince of Condé in 1773 and was paid 1,120 livres for it.
Other pairs of chenets after this model but with different bases are also recorded:-three examples illustrated in Ottomeyer, Pröschel et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, Vol. I, p. 201, figs. 3.14.11, 3.14.10, 3.14.12.-a pair sold from the collection of the marquis de Biron, Paris, June 1914, lot 345, illustrated in S. Eriksen, op.cit., p. 357, pl. 223;-a pair from the Collection M. V. was sold Sotheby's, Monaco, 21 February 1988, lot 800;-a pair sold at Christie's, London, 11 June 1992, lot 12.