ID 819762
Lot 30 | AN EMPIRE SILVER-GILT SIX-LIGHT BOUILLOTTE LAMP
Estimate value
$ 200 000 – 300 000
MARK OF MARTIN-GUILLAUME BIENNAIS, PARIS, 1809-1819, AFTER A DESIGN BY PERCIER AND FONTAINE, THE SHADE BORDER SLIGHTLY LATER
The shaped tripod base raised on paw feet cast and chased with palmettes, acanthus, and rosettes, rising to a baluster form stem applied with bands of foliage and centered with the applied coat-of-arms of Napoleon's mother Madame Mère, the six acanthus-capped horn-form branches with cylindrical sconces with bands of stiff leaves and rosettes, the branches further mounted with winged demi-eagles supporting a laurel ring, the tapered cylindrical adjustable shade applied with matching coat-of-arms and with border of grapevine, dolphins, wheat, and bullrush, and with later silver-plated liner, with finial modeled as an eagle perched upon a star covered globe and clutching a twist of rope within its talons, marked on base, stem, branches, sconces, nozzles, finial, and shade frame and border with maker's mark and French hallmarks as well as later French control marks, the shade frame also stamped BIENNAIS
34 5/8 in. (88 cm.) high
272 oz. 4 dwt. (8,465 gr.) gross weighable silver
Provenance
Marie Letizia Ramolino Bonaparte (1750 - 1836), later styled Madame Mère.
By descent from a Marshal of France; Christie's, Geneva, 11 November 1975, lot 82.
The British Rail Pension Fund; Sotheby's, Geneva, 14 November 1988, lot 108.
Anonymous Sale; Sotheby's, New York, 12 April 1995, lot 170.
Acquired by Ann and Gordon Getty from the above.
Exhibited
London, Victoria & Albert Museum, 1976 - 1984.
| Artist: | Martin-Guillaume Biennais (1764 - 1843) |
|---|---|
| Applied technique: | Metalwork |
| Medium: | Silver |
| Place of origin: | Western Europe, France, Europe |
| Auction house category: | Furniture and Lamps, Lamps and luminaires |
| Artist: | Martin-Guillaume Biennais (1764 - 1843) |
|---|---|
| Applied technique: | Metalwork |
| Medium: | Silver |
| Place of origin: | Western Europe, France, Europe |
| Auction house category: | Furniture and Lamps, Lamps and luminaires |
| Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 20 Rockefeller Plaza 10020 New York USA | ||||||||||||||
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