Attributed to Constant Sevin and Christofle

Attributed to CONSTANT SEVIN (France, 1821-Neuilly-sur-Seine, 1888) & CHRISTOFLE.
Chimney garnish.
Silver and red marble.
Measurements: 56 x 26 x 25 cm; 86 x 89 x 30 cm.

Constant Sevin's exquisite technique and careful handling of silver made him a true master of the decorative arts. Throughout his career, he provided models to companies such as Christofle for the creation of all kinds of objects: goldsmiths, cabinetmakers, mirrors, boxes, lamps, fireplaces, vases and even clocks. The splendid mantelpiece that we are now bidding for is made up of a central sculpture representing Mercury, an iconic figure of Roman mythology. Mercury is distinguished by his winged helmet symbolizing his role as messenger of the gods, while his expression conveys serenity and intelligence. He holds the caduceus, attribute of the god, and wears the winged sandals. The garnish is completed with two large cups raised on square bases on which stand two winged mythological creatures with the body of a dog and the head of a man. A border with masks from whose mouths hang rings embellish the link between the vessel and the trumpet neck. The delicate care of the silver denotes the savoir faire of Christofle's goldsmiths.

An excellent goldsmith trained with Marneuf, Constant Sevin became a partner in 1840 with Joyau and Eugène Phénix and made the first models for Denière and Froment-Meurice. He showed his most famous piece at the London Universal Exhibition of 1851: the Henry Thomas Hope cup, a lapis lazuli nautilus, with an enameled gold frame depicting Perseus and Andromeda. Around 1850, in Paris, he provided models for Fourdinois senior and to the Jouhanneaud-Dubois porcelain factory. In 1855 he began his collaboration with Ferdinand Barbedienne, for whom he designed exceptional pieces for princely houses, among others, the King of Holland, the King of the Belgians, the Queen of England, the Kremlin, Madame de Paiva. His work is currently preserved in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris among other important institutions.

A manufacturer of fine silver cutlery and home accessories based in France, Christofle was founded in 1830, when jeweler Charles Christofle took over the management of a jewelry workshop belonging to his wife's family. Christofle's product lines include silver frames, crystal vases and glassware, porcelain tableware and silver jewelry. The manufacture of Christofle pieces uses traditional manufacturing techniques, including hammer work, yarn stamping, carving and engraving for finishing, as well as patinas, enamels, cloisonné and lacquering for colors, forging of cutlery.