Style Other / Ref.15218

E. CLAVIER, Andirons with Eurasian Eagle-Owls, 1867 World's Fair

This bronze andiron bar was presented at the 1867 Paris Exhibition in Paris and was crafted by the skilled bronzeworker E. Clavier.

This piece is a testament to the artistry of E. Clavier, a talented bronzeworker whose name first appeared in commercial almanacs in 1852 as an “ornamental sculptor for bronze” based in the Marais district of Paris. From the inception of his workshop, Clavier specialized in fireplace accessories such as andirons, fenders, fire guards, shovels, and tongs. He won several medals at the World Fairs of 1855, 1862, and 1867, showcasing the bronze piece we present here at the latter event in Paris. The workshop later became Maison Bouhon Frères, under the direction of Thomas and Joseph Bouhon, and continued as Bouhon et C^ie until 1898.

The central bar connects two andirons crowned by majestic Eurasian eagle-owls. The owls stand upright, their sharp talons gripping two intertwined serpents facing each other with exposed, menacing fangs. The hostility expressed by the serpents contrasts with the noble stillness of the raptors. The design demonstrates a masterful sense of composition and balance: the imposing bodies of the nocturnal birds rest firmly on the sinuous forms of the serpents. The stylized curves of the serpents enhance the decorative quality of the andirons, further emphasized by the silvered patina of the bronze, which displays a rich array of nuanced tones. The craftsmanship is remarkable, with every detail finely chiseled to the point that the texture of the animals’ bodies becomes almost tangible.