Offered by Franck Baptiste Paris
Important chandelier in finely chased and gilded bronze and cut crystal.
Model simulating an antique suspension, with four chains consisting of links centered on cut crystal almonds, supporting a globe from which eight arms of lights in the form of horns of plenty spout. The dome is surmounted by a winged victory standing on a sphere, holding a crystal cup on its head. The ceiling light is made of a circular ring from which eight bronze palmettes and a crystal rosette spring.
Beautiful quality of chasing and gilding of origin made with mercury with double patina, both matt and shiny.
The original crystals, cut with facets and engraved, are attributable to the crystal factory of Montcenis*. (A cup brought back).
Parisian work of the Restoration period, around 1820.
Dimensions :
Height : 136 cm ; Diameter : 65 cm.
A watercolor representing our chandelier, with some small variations, was formerly in the Givenchy collection and was sold at Christie's in Paris on June 22, 2022 (lot 1155).
It is to be compared with the drawings of the ornamentalists Charles Percier (1764-1838) and Pierre Léonard Fontaine (1762-1853)
Our opinion :
The exceptional chandelier that we present is a very rare piece, reserved for an elite made up of the princely courts and the upper spheres of the bourgeoisie. Few of these pieces have come down to us, especially with the original crystals.
In addition to its exceptional ornamentation of gilded bronze, it is the alliance between a crystal with a complex cut and finely chiseled metal that makes the magic of this type of piece. As the drawing of the Givenchy collection proves, our chandelier is French and probably comes from the Montcenis factory directed by Benjamin François Ladouèpe de Fougerais who collaborated with the greatest bronze workers of his time (Thomire, Galle, Ravrio...) on projects of great chandeliers, or from a department store like L'escalier de cristal which specialized in this type of piece.
It is amusing to imagine that this large design (70cm) was probably on display for customers to see, as proven by the text underneath which gives information on the different sizes available (8 lights, 12 lights, 36 lights) and the corresponding prices (from 1200 pounds to 2000 pounds).
*The crystal factory of Montcenis was founded in Sevres in 1781, then the royal treasury bought the domain of the Duke of Orleans for Queen Marie-Antoinette in 1784, and the establishment of Mr. Lambert and Mr. Boyer took the name of "Manufacture des cristaux et émaux de la Reine".
In 1787, 60 people remained at the crystal factory but following a decision by the Council of State, the Crystal Factory was transferred to Le Creusot, near Montcenis, in Burgundy.
After a few trips and a stop of the furnaces during the revolution, the factory resumed its activity and grew again under the aegis of its new administrator Benjamin-François de la Douespe du Fougerais (1766-1821).
The factory was rewarded twice at the Exhibitions of the products of the French industry, in 1801 and 1802.
From 1806, it became the main supplier of glassware to the Empress and took the title of "Manufacture des Cristaux du Montcenis de S. M. l'Impératrice''.
Fougerais then abundantly supplied the house of the Emperor, the queen Hortense, Murat... and exports even in the other courts of Europe its chandeliers, services of glasses, cups etc.
