Double Inkwell with Imperial Eagle in gilded bronze and Green Marble, Empire style, 19th century

Materials: Solid marble, gilded cast bronze. Dimensions: Length: 40 cm, Depth: 22 cm, Height: 22 cm, Original gilding.

Superb and imposing sculptural Empire-style inkwell, crafted with chiseled and gilded bronze of remarkable quality and solid Maurin Green marble. Rectangular in shape, it features in its center, on a square marble base, a majestic imperial eagle with outstretched wings, clutching Jupiter's spindle, a symbol of power, in its talons. On either side of this central emblem are two elegant round cups with hinged lids. These cups are distinguished by rich moldings adorned with striations, palmettes, and interlacing, and their lid handles are finely chiseled in the shape of laurel wreaths. The interior of each cup is lined with glass. The front of the inkwell is adorned with a beautiful hollowed-out pen tray featuring a concave molding. A bronze ornament applied to the front side underlines the richness of the ensemble, with a decoration of scrolls, stylized palmettes, and a rosette. The ensemble elegantly rests on four large and magnificent feet in the shape of lion claws, adorned with stylized acanthus leaves covering the corners and highlighting the sides, and embellished with delicate rosettes.

Very fine quality of carving and assembly. Napoleon III period, 19th century. Beautiful dimensions and proportions.

Dimensions: Length: 40 cm, Depth: 22 cm, Height: 22 cm

Private Collection of an Art Lover in Fontainebleau. (*) Identical provenance to other items for sale on the website.

Condition Report: Very good condition, magnificent original gilding, matte and shiny. Minimal signs of use and age (antique object), and a few tiny chips on the marble. Minor wear on the inside of a non-visible lid. One of the glass liners is not original.

Bibliography:

This eagle is inspired by the models. Cast in bronze by Thomire based on a drawing by Chaudet, the flag eagles were distributed on the Champ-de-Mars. The distribution of these eagles gave rise to a grand ceremony on the Champ-de-Mars on December 5, 1804, three days after the coronation, a ceremony during which the new Emperor had his army swear an oath: "Soldiers, here are your flags! These eagles will always serve as your rallying point; they will be wherever your Emperor deems their presence necessary for the defense of his throne and his people. You swear to sacrifice your life to defend them, and to keep them constantly, by your courage, on the path to victory.<!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_250517_114337_223.sdocx--><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_250517_114257_625.sdocx-->

Ref: 0HSR2ZW2BW