Ref.4596
Louis XVI style fireplace made of Carrara marble with friezes of pearls

This beautiful Louis XVI style fireplace was made of Carrara marble in the late 19th century. Its curved jambs and its straight entablature are adorned with delicate friezes of pearls that come underline its edges. Its entablature also bears on each corner two beautiful roses, characteristic of the Louis XVI style.

Ref.14578
Woman with Birds, probably Vittorio Caradossi, marble, 1887, Florence

A standing woman holds a basket containing a nest of young birds. Two other birds are perched on the sculpture and appear to be the originators of the nest. One of them seems to be addressing the woman, while the second is turned towards its young. The sculptor has created a genuine dialogue between the sculpted elements. The statue is signed: "Caradosfi Florence 1887". Vittorio Caradossi was born in Italy in 1861 and died in 1918. A brilliant student at Florence's Royal Institute of Fine Arts, he exhibited his work at the 1900 Universal Exhibition and at the Salon de la Société des Artistes Français in 1909.

Ref.15738
F. GERDERÈS – Japanese-style billiard table in gilded and carved wood

This rare Japanese-style billiard table in gilt and carved wood bears the plaque of the Parisian manufacturer F. Gerderès. Famous for the quality and inventiveness of its billiard tables, the Gerderès company participated in the 1867 Universal Exhibition. This model is undoubtedly among the most original designs of its time, capitalizing on the vogue for Japonisme in the last third of the 19th century. Our billiard table rests on four imposing gilt bronze legs in the form of vases. These feature motifs inspired by Japanese script, Greek key patterns, and handles with rings. The tall, flared neck supports a playing surface composed of three slates, a material of choice for ensuring a perfectly level billiard table. The frieze features superb marquetry lacquer panels, set within molded frames. The marquetry decoration is characteristic of the Japonisme style: it depicts cherry blossom branches and birds. Gilded wood ornaments stand out sharply against the lacquered border: across the width, three cornflowers unfurl on an acanthus leaf base in a striking Rococo style. Along the length, the border features a menacing gilded Japanese-style dragon resting on an acanthus leaf. Openwork Japanese-style friezes accentuate the profile of the billiard table, further emphasizing the Asian architectural reference. The billiard table has a score counter stamped by the manufacturer, indicating its address and the inscription "Precision Billiards." This high-quality Japanese-style billiard table is one of the few known examples.