French Marble and Ormolu Cassolettes
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Famed French metal craftsman Pierre Gouthière created these magnificent cassolettes
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- A pair of Louis XVI-style cassolettes made by French metal craftsman Pierre Gouthière
- Gouthière was a favorite craftsman of Marie-Antoinette
- Campan marble and fine ormolu mounts comprise these exceptional objets d'art
- The pair upon which these are based are part of the Wallace Collection of London, made by Belanger
- Circa 1850
- 17 3/8" high
Item Details
- Height:
17 3/8" Inches - Period:
19th Century - Origin:
France
These phenomenal Louis XVI-style cassolettes were modeled after a celebrated perfume-burner, crafted of jasper and ormolu, now preserved at the Wallace Collection in London. This well-known piece was fashioned by French master metal craftsman Pierre Gouthière, a favorite of Marie-Antoinette who was known for his technical and artistic brilliance. Inspired by ancient artifacts, these cassolettes are comprised of magnificent Campan marble crowned with and raised upon tripods of exquisitely crafted bronze ormolu. Set upon a marble base, the stands display a detailed pastoral theme, with satyr heads joined by swags of grapevines and hoofed tripod feet. Designed by one of the most influential artists in 18th-century France, such impeccable parfumiers as these were housed in the stateliest homes and palaces in Europe.
The design is attributed to architect François-Joseph Belanger. Inspired by bronze tripods discovered in archaeological expeditions of the mid-18th century, the original cassolettes were first created under the direction of Belanger, whose employer, the duc d'Aumont, directed him to establish a workshop for stonework in the Hôtel des Menus-Plaisirs. The ormolu mounts were most likely created in Gouthière's workshop in 1775, and joined with the jasper bowls, which were most certainly cut in Belanger's workshop by sculptor Augustin Bocciardi. When the collection of the duc d'Aumont was sold by auction in 1782, the remarkable piece was subsequently purchased by Marie-Antoinette for 12,000 livres, and was kept in her private apartments at Versailles.
Circa 1850
17 3/8" high
Pierre Gouthière was an unrivaled metal worker, born at Troyes, France, and traveling to Paris at an early age as the pupil of Martin Cour. During his brilliant career, he executed a vast quantity of metal work of astounding variety, becoming the most famous Parisian bronze chaser and gilder of the late 1700s. Gouthière was a master of chasing and invented a new type of gilding that left a matte finish. Combining polished with matte finishes to create varied effects on the surfaces of his bronzes, he made many types of objects, including furniture mounts, ornaments for mantelpieces and coaches, and mounts for porcelain or marble vases. He received commissions from some of the leading connoisseurs of his day. The collection of the duc d'Aumont served almost as a retrospective of Gouthière's work, displaying a range of items, including lacquer cabinets and chandeliers, all mounted with the artist's excellent bronze. Most notable were the many commissions he received for furniture from the court of Louis XVI, creating a number of bronzes especially for Marie-Antoinette.
Gouthière was successful and enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle. After 1775, however, the death of two of his major patrons and unwise financial speculations left him in dire financial difficulty. Madame du Barry, Louis XV's mistress, owed him 750,000 livres for nearly 20 years' work, and his inability to collect this debt finally forced him into bankruptcy in 1787. He died in poverty, still trying to make her heirs repay him.
Reference:The Wallace Collection Catalogue of Furniture, London, vol. 111, 1996, P. Hughes, cat. no. F275.
The design is attributed to architect François-Joseph Belanger. Inspired by bronze tripods discovered in archaeological expeditions of the mid-18th century, the original cassolettes were first created under the direction of Belanger, whose employer, the duc d'Aumont, directed him to establish a workshop for stonework in the Hôtel des Menus-Plaisirs. The ormolu mounts were most likely created in Gouthière's workshop in 1775, and joined with the jasper bowls, which were most certainly cut in Belanger's workshop by sculptor Augustin Bocciardi. When the collection of the duc d'Aumont was sold by auction in 1782, the remarkable piece was subsequently purchased by Marie-Antoinette for 12,000 livres, and was kept in her private apartments at Versailles.
Circa 1850
17 3/8" high
Pierre Gouthière was an unrivaled metal worker, born at Troyes, France, and traveling to Paris at an early age as the pupil of Martin Cour. During his brilliant career, he executed a vast quantity of metal work of astounding variety, becoming the most famous Parisian bronze chaser and gilder of the late 1700s. Gouthière was a master of chasing and invented a new type of gilding that left a matte finish. Combining polished with matte finishes to create varied effects on the surfaces of his bronzes, he made many types of objects, including furniture mounts, ornaments for mantelpieces and coaches, and mounts for porcelain or marble vases. He received commissions from some of the leading connoisseurs of his day. The collection of the duc d'Aumont served almost as a retrospective of Gouthière's work, displaying a range of items, including lacquer cabinets and chandeliers, all mounted with the artist's excellent bronze. Most notable were the many commissions he received for furniture from the court of Louis XVI, creating a number of bronzes especially for Marie-Antoinette.
Gouthière was successful and enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle. After 1775, however, the death of two of his major patrons and unwise financial speculations left him in dire financial difficulty. Madame du Barry, Louis XV's mistress, owed him 750,000 livres for nearly 20 years' work, and his inability to collect this debt finally forced him into bankruptcy in 1787. He died in poverty, still trying to make her heirs repay him.
Reference:The Wallace Collection Catalogue of Furniture, London, vol. 111, 1996, P. Hughes, cat. no. F275.
