Offered by Galerie Gilles Linossier
Very large cartel in Boulle marquetry in 5 colors.
In a violin shape, this very imposing cartel and its console are finely worked in brass on a background of brown tortoise shell and enhanced with mother-of-pearl, green horn, blue horn and red horn, which characterizes it in “five colors” .
Rare due to this variety of colors and its particularly large size, this cartel is also magnificently decorated with gilded bronzes.
The marquetry on "counterparty" features floral scrolls alternating the different colors of brown scales, with red and blue and green horn and white mother-of-pearl representing the most imposing flowers.
The console is framed by a finely chiseled ingot mold of acanthus leaves and scrolls. Each of the edges is marked with falls, always in gilded bronze, representing large acanthus leaves and flowers. The base of the lamp base is enveloped in a representation of acanthus leaves, shells and scrolls, nicely chiselled and openwork.
This elegant golden clothing also adorns the cartel and its pediment.
The rich bronze trim aligns with the curves of the body like leafy scrolls and finishes the cartel with the cushioning of the 4 delicately crafted feet resting on the base of the lamp. .
At the top, enthroned on the pediment, a Hercules, a Zeus, or perhaps even a Poseidon, slaying a mythological beast.
Presents to our eyes a “Drakon” as the Greeks called them, with a scaly tail, sharp claws and a head with an open mouth; perhaps it is Ladon, the dragon protecting the golden apples of Hera or Drakon Kholkikos, the dragon of Colchis, who guarded the golden fleece and whose scales were impossible to pierce, perhaps s This is a sea dragon which also populated Greek myths, which would support the presence of shells.
Mythological subjects are frequently used themes in the 18th century.
They mainly symbolize challenges and overcoming. The dragon, a formidable opponent, is defeated by the hero. Thus, through this ability to overcome obstacles, the hero well illustrates the heroic exploit and the glory of good against evil.
Here, the hero is holding what appears to be lightning in his hands, he is sitting on the monster ready to strike it down. Although the dragon, with its gaping mouth, is still alive, there is no doubt about the outcome of the story.
This mythological representation underlines the importance of this cartel for the time. Imposing and dazzling, it illustrates a heroic scene.
The gilded bronze foliage, chiseled and openworked on the main window confirms the importance of the symbolism of the dragon. By its representation a second time, here, and a third time on the inside of the door, we see unequivocally that it is indeed a drakon (dragon) because although not visible on the pediment, it has wings in these two other illustrations.
The rocaille ornamentation which surrounds it magnificently highlights the enameled and finely chiseled dial in gilded bronze, which overlooks it. Signed Viger in Paris, this dial presents in cartouches the hours in Roman numerals and the minutes, alternated by delicately chiseled shells in Arabic numerals. The wire movement is also signed “Viger à Paris” and bears the number “n° 628”.
The back door on "counterparty" marquetry also features a dragon in its center.
The interior has an inclined lower rim depicting a concave checkerboard centered with a large acanthus leaf.
This cartel stands out for its size, the grace of its colors and the abundance of its gilded bronze ornamentation, the repertoire of which mainly takes precedence over floral, natural ornamentation and a heroic mythological theme.
Louis XV period work
Restoration of wear and maintenance
5 colors
Signed Viger in Paris n° 628
Total dimensions: H 163 cm x W 55 cm x D 27 cm
Box dimensions: H 79 cm x W 53 cm x D 20 cm
Pediment dimensions: H 45 cm x W 31 cm x D 17 cm
Dimensions of the base of the lamp: H 45 cm x L 55 cm x D 27 cm
