CA0504Large French Empire gilt and patinated bronze Athenienne

A fine quality and rare large proportioned French Empire period gilt bronze ormolu and patinated bronze classical Athenienne, after the antique. The large dish with central capstan shaped knob and stylised acanthus leaf rim, the underside with lobes centred by an inverted pine cone, the triform support with an arrangement of X stretchers joined by gilt roundels and ending in beautiful lion paw feet on a stepped plinth base. An athénienne (or 'coupe') of very similar design, formerly belonging to Thomas Bruce 7th Earl of Elgin (1766-1841) and probably supplied by the marchand-mercier Martin-Eloi Lignereux, was sold at Sotheby's, London, 12 June 1992. Another pair of similar form, but lacking the central knop and on marble bases, were offered at Koller, Zurich, 26 March 2015, lot 1241, where noted that the design was published in 'Collection de Meubles et Objets de Goût', edited by Pierre de La Mésangère (1761-1831), Paris, 1807. Percier and Fontaine's 'Recueil de Décorations Intérieures', Paris, 1801-1812, apparently includes within plate 4 a similar athénienne design.

H 48cm x D 29.5cm