European Furniture & Decorative Arts

Sale 1062

Live

| Chicago

Jul 19 | 11:00 AM EDT

Live

| Chicago

Lot 93

A French Gilt Bronze Double-Sided Tabernacle Encasing Two Enameled Plaques on Marble Pedestal

Lot 93

A French Gilt Bronze Double-Sided Tabernacle Encasing Two Enameled Plaques on Marble Pedestal

Status:

Closed

Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000

Estimate$30,000 – $50,000

Status

Closed

A French Gilt Bronze Double-Sided Tabernacle Encasing Two Enameled Plaques on Marble Pedestal

The Plaques by Paul-Louis-Alfred Serre (French, 1810-1892), Dated 1887 and 1889; The Tabernacle by F. Barbedienne Foundry, Paris, Late 19th Century

the plaques depicting Charity and the Holy Family with Elizabeth and Infant St. John after works by Andrea del Sarto (Italian, 16th Century), each signed ALFRED SERRE and F. BARBEDIENNE, the first example dated 1887, the second dated 1889; the tabernacle foot inscribed F. Barbedienne Paris, resting on the original griotte marble pedestal with revolving octagonal top.
Height of tabernacle 50 1/2 inches; plaques: 11 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches (sight).

Property from a Private Chicago Collection

Provenance:

Purchased from an unknown source, 17 January 1978

Property of the Von Oppenheim Trust

Christie's, New York, 24 April 2001, Lot 254

Note:

Likely made for the Paris Exposition of 1889, the present lot represents an unusual and impressive iteration of the collaborative work made by renowned bronzier Ferdinand Barbedienne and the portrait painter and enamellist Paul-Louis-Alfred Serre during the last quarter of the 19th century. Preceding this work in their collaborative endeavor were a large Renaissance style gilt bronze clock with enameled plaques depicting Apollo, Diana, Dawn and Twilight exhibited at the 1878 Paris Exposition and a gilt bronze cigarette case mounted with painted plaques depicting Venus and Cupid made in 1891 and shown at the Paris Exposition of 1900.

Serre made his debut at the Paris Salon in 1869. The original works of Charity and The Holy Family by Andrea del Sarto (Italian, 1486-1530), of which the present lot's scenes are copies, would have been accessible to Serre at the Louvre during the plaques' time of production.

In good, stable condition overall. The bronze having an even, relatively bright patina with minor surface wear in the form of nicks and scratches commensurate with age. Dust to the recesses. Scattered instances of discoloration and oxidation to the bronze frame. Both panels in good condition with very faint instances of surface wear. The marble pedestal top with light surface wear in the form of nicks and scratches, as well as a visible outline from the octagonal tabernacle base. Areas of sticker residue to the base; can be removed. Concentrated area of scratches to one side of the pedestal's octagonal plinth. Additional images available upon request.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Corbin Horn

Vice President, Head of Department, European Furniture & Decorative Arts

corbinhorn@freemansauction.com 312.334.4214

Mr. Horn joined the firm in 2009 and has directed numerous sales of important collections, including those of Lilly Pulitzer, Lord Anthony and Lady Jacobs, Lars Bolander, Casa de Sueños in Miami Beach, and Villa Massei in Lucca, Italy. He has also achieved record results for consignments from prominent institutions, including the Toledo Museum of Art, the High Museum of Art, the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Minnesota Historical Society. Mr. Horn is a member of the Antiquarian Society of the Art Institute of Chicago and is an alumnus of the Attingham Trust.

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European Furniture & Decorative Arts

A French Gilt Bronze Double-Sided Tabernacle Encasing Two Enameled Plaques on Marble Pedestal

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