Cabinet-maker and bronze-caster (1847-1919)
(attributed to)

Chandelier with Terms

France
Circa 1880

Gilded and patinated bronze

Height : 80 cm (ref. 31,5 in.) ; Diameter : 45 cm (17,7 in.)

Charming chandelier in chased, gilded, and patinated bronze with seven lights. The central shaft features a blued bronze bowl adorned on its body with friezes and foliate scrolls in gilded bronze, surmounted by a twisted fluted column with asparagus-tip motifs, ending in a flame finial and a seed-shaped element. Three female figures terminating in acanthus leaves each support two twisted, foliate scrolling light arms. The whole is suspended by three chains designed to imitate tasseled rope.

related work

Our chandelier is inspired by the chandelier in gilded and blued bronze, attributed to François Rémond (1747-1812), End of the 18th Century. Given in 1808 by Napoléon to Cambacérès for his Parisian house, the actual hôtel de Roquelaure. Exposed in the Musée Nissim de Camondo, Paris (Inv. CAM 146)

biography

In 1875, In 1875, Alfred-Emmanuel Beurdeley (1847-1919) was at first assistant to and later succeeded his father Louis-Auguste Beurdeley, one of the main cabinet-makers of the Second Empire, specializing in 18th century furniture. Louis-Auguste was the star whenever he exhibited and was “most favored by the royal and imperial families”. Although he produced the same kind of works of art as his father, Alfred Beurdeley was also a very well-known art collector and a skilled bronze sculptor. With Dasson, Grohé, Sauvresy and Fourdinois, the most famous artists of the period, he took part in the 1878 Universal Exhibition and won the gold medal. Crowned with glory he went so far as to open a shop in New York. His participation in the 1883 Amsterdam Universal Exhibition drew considerable attention to his work and “Alfred Beurdeley, Fabricant de bronzes d’art” was then awarded the Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest official mark of recognition. He thus won the respect of both the government and contemporary art critics. His last presentation was during the 1889 Universal and International Exhibition, when the director of the Exhibition wrote in his report: “The talent of Mr Beurdeley is self evident when one inspects his furniture.”

François Rémond (1747-1812) began his apprenticeship in 1763. In 1774, he became maître in the guild of bronze guilders. He worked for the mercant-mercer Daguerre et created worked in the Turkish style then in vogue or Louis XVI and his family. He collaborated with the chaser Pierre Gouthière on some of his greatest masterpieces before 1783, and designed bronze ornaments for the cabinet-maker Jean-Henri Riesener. In August 1774, he met the cabinet-maker David Roentgen and began a collaboration with him : most of Roentgen pieces were decorated with bronzes made in Paris by Rémond with sometimes sculptures by artists such as Louis-Simon Boizot.

The post A.-E. Beurdeley <br/> Chandelier with Terms appeared first on Tobogan Antiques.

Cabinet-maker and bronze-caster
(1847-1919)

 « The Coronation of Science » Clock 

Signed on the dial A. Beurdeley Paris
Mechanism signed J LEFEBVRE FILS PARIS

France
Circa 1880

Gilded and patinated bronze, Marble

Height : 55 cm (21,6 in.) ; Length : 58,5 cm (23 in.) ; Depth : 19 cm (7,5 in.)

Rare Louis XVI style clock in patinated and mercury-gilded chiseled bronze and white marble. In the form of an arched pediment, it is decorated with four Cupids, two carrying a garland of flowers highlighting the dial, and two others symbolizing the coronation of Science. The molded base in white marble, with a double recess, is decorated with a ribboned torus, a frieze of ribboned oak leaves and interlacing, and rests on six flattened ball feet.

related work

In 1774, the bronze-caster Robert Osmond (1711-1789) designed a first model known as “architectural drawing” illustrating The Coronation of Science. Also called The Children of France, it is decorated with a putti crowning a young girl drawing with a compass and delivered to Versailles by Lépine, clockmaker to the King since 1762, for the apartment of Madame Royale in the Princes’ Wing, on December 28, 1778.
This clock is described in the inventory of Versailles clocks from 1787, in the Clock Cabinet of the King’s apartments at Versailles : « 1. Une pendule de cheminée à chapiteau en bronze doré d’or moulu portée sur socle de marbre noir garni de frises à a grecque, les ornements de cette boette sont désignés par deux enfants assis sur l’entablement portant le chapiteau en forme de support, surmontée de deux génies dont l’un est couronné par l’autre, h. de 19 po. Sur 19 po ? 9 l. de large, par Charles Le Roy » 

This clock is inspired by the plate 77 of Osmond’s collection of drawings entitled : Pièce à portail grande Architecture avec 1 génie, vers 1775

Another version of this clock by the bronze-caster Osmond, described as a cartonnier clock and closer to the model executed by Beurdeley, and reproduced in Vergoldete Bronzen P. Pröschel and H. Ottomeyer, Munich 1986, vol. I, page 229, fig. 4. 1. 9., is kept at the Musée Jacquemart André.

Biography

In 1875, Alfred-Emmanuel Beurdeley (1847-1919) was at first assistant to and later succeeded his father Louis-Auguste Beurdeley, one of the main cabinet-makers of the Second Empire, specialising in 18th century furniture. Louis-Auguste was the star whenever he exhibited and was “most favored by the royal and imperial families”. Although he produced the same kind of works of art as his father, Alfred Beurdeley was also a very well-known art collector and a skilled bronze sculptor. With Dasson, Grohé, Sauvresy and Fourdinois, the most famous artists of the period, he took part in the 1878 Universal Exhibition and won the gold medal. Crowned with glory he went so far as to open a shop in New York. His participation in the 1883 Amsterdam Universal Exhibition drew considerable attention to his work and “Alfred Beurdeley, Fabricant de bronzes d’art” was then awarded the Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur, France’s hightest official mark of recognition. He thus won the respect of both the government and contemporary art critics. His last presentation was during the 1889 Universal and International Exhibition, when the director of the Exhibition wrote in his report : “The talent of Mr Beurdeley is self evident when one inspects his furniture.”

The post A.-E. Beurdeley <br/> “The Coronation of Science” Clock appeared first on Tobogan Antiques.

Cabinet-maker and bronze-caster
(1847-1919)

Pair of lacquered Encoignures

Stamped twice A BEURDELEY A PARIS on the back

France
Circa 1890

Lacquer, Gilded bronze, Marble

Height : 95 cm (37,4 in.) ; Side : 55 cm (21,6 in.)

Charming Louis XV-inspired pair of encoignures in lacquer and gilded bronze. The animated facade opens to a door adorned with a panel with gilded decoration in the taste of Japan, painted on a black background representing a flower basket flown over by birds. They are embellished with an elegant ornamentation in chiseled and gilded bronze with patterns of leafy falls and foliage. Resting on three feet, two of which have foliage sabots connected by a scalloped apron, they are topped with a molded marble in Breccia of Aleppo.

related work

This pair of encoignures is to be linked to the work of the cabinet-maker Bernard Van Riesen Burgh (1700-1760), especially the ones decorating the private mansion Nissim de Camondo, 63 rue de Monceau in Paris (Inv. CAM 36).

Biography

In 1875, Alfred-Emmanuel Beurdeley (1847-1919) was at first assistant to and later succeeded his father Louis-Auguste Beurdeley, one of the main cabinet-makers of the Second Empire, specializing in 18th century furniture. Louis-Auguste was the star whenever he exhibited and was “most favored by the royal and imperial families”. Although he produced the same kind of works of art as his father, Alfred Beurdeley was also a very well-known art collector and a skilled bronze sculptor. With Dasson, Grohé, Sauvresy and Fourdinois, the most famous artists of the period, he took part in the 1878 Universal Exhibition and won the gold medal. Crowned with glory he went so far as to open a shop in New York. His participation in the 1883 Amsterdam Universal Exhibition drew considerable attention to his work and “Alfred Beurdeley, Fabricant de bronzes d’art” was then awarded the Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest official mark of recognition. He thus won the respect of both the government and contemporary art critics. His last presentation was during the 1889 Universal and International Exhibition, when the director of the Exhibition wrote in his report: “The talent of Mr Beurdeley is self evident when one inspects his furniture.”

The post A.-E. Beurdeley <br/> Pair of Lacquered Encoignures appeared first on Tobogan Antiques.

Cabinet-maker and Bronze-caster
(1847-1919)

Flat Desk with Espagnolettes

Stamped twice A BEURDELEY A PARIS on the crosspieces.

France
Circa 1890

Lacquer, Gilded bronze, Leather

Height : 78 cm (30,7 in.) ; Length : 132 cm (51,9 in.) ; Depth : 72 cm (28,3 in.)

Elegant Louis XV style double-side desk in lacquered wood and gilded bronze. It is adorned on all sides, in foliated bronze cartouches, with a decoration of birds and golden landscapes painted on a black background in the style of Japan. Covered with a top sheathed with black leather and surrounded by a mold, it opens on one side with three drawers. The all rests on four cabriole feet adorned at the angles with curly espagnolettes, and ends in leafy sabots.

This desk is to be linked to the work of Charles Cressent (1685-1768), cabinet-maker of the Crown.

Biography

In 1875, Alfred-Emmanuel Beurdeley (1847-1919) was at first assistant to and later succeeded his father Louis-Auguste Beurdeley, one of the main cabinet-makers of the Second Empire, specializing in 18th century furniture. Louis-Auguste was the star whenever he exhibited and was “most favored by the royal and imperial families”. Although he produced the same kind of works of art as his father, Alfred Beurdeley was also a very well-known art collector and a skilled bronze sculptor. With Dasson, Grohé, Sauvresy and Fourdinois, the most famous artists of the period, he took part in the 1878 Universal Exhibition and won the gold medal. Crowned with glory he went so far as to open a shop in New York. His participation in the 1883 Amsterdam Universal Exhibition drew considerable attention to his work and “Alfred Beurdeley, Fabricant de bronzes d’art” was then awarded the Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest official mark of recognition. He thus won the respect of both the government and contemporary art critics. His last presentation was during the 1889 Universal and International Exhibition, when the director of the Exhibition wrote in his report : “The talent of Mr Beurdeley is self evident when one inspects his furniture.”

The post A.-E. Beurdeley <br/> Flat Desk with Espagnolettes appeared first on Tobogan Antiques.

Cabinet-maker and bronze caster
(1847-1919)

Magnificent Louis XV Style Flat Desk

Signed « A.-E. Beurdeley »

France
Circa 1880

Height: 78,5 cm (30,9 in.); Length: 144 cm (56,6 in.); Depth: 79,5 cm (31,2 in.)

Exceptional kingwood and satinwood veneer double-sided desk, opening with three frieze drawers. Mounted with remarquable chiseled ormolu representing shells, foliage and flower garlands, this desk is representative of French taste. It is by his quality one of the most beautiful examples of A.E. Beurdeley’s manufacturing prowess.

This flat desk is inspired by the one executed by the cabinet-maker Joseph Baumhauer, which was offered by King Louis XV to Empress Elisabeth I of Russia in 1745. It is now exhibited in the Los Angeles Getty Center.

Biography

In 1875, Alfred-Emmanuel Beurdeley (1847-1919) was at first assistant to and later succeeded his father Louis-Auguste Beurdeley, one of the main cabinet-makers of the Second Empire, specialising in 18th century furniture. Louis-Auguste was the star whenever he exhibited and was “most favoured by the royal and imperial families”. Although he produced the same kind of works of art as his father, Alfred Beurdeley was also a very well-known art collector and a skilled bronze sculptor. With Dasson, Grohé, Sauvresy and Fourdinois, the most famous artists of the period, he took part in the 1878 Universal Exhibition and won the gold medal. Crowned with glory he went so far as to open a shop in New York. His participation in the 1883 Amsterdam Universal Exhibition drew considerable attention to his work and “Alfred Beurdeley, Fabricant de bronzes d’art” was then awarded the Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest official mark of recognition. He thus won the respect of both the government and contemporary art critics. His last presentation was during the 1889 Universal and International Exhibition, when the director of the Exhibition wrote in his report: “The talent of Mr Beurdeley is self evident when one inspects his furniture.”

The post A.-E. Beurdeley <br/> A Magnificent Bureau Plat appeared first on Tobogan Antiques.

Cabinet-maker and bronze caster
(1847-1919)

Rare set of urns and pedestals

Signed BY on the back of the bronze mounts

France
Circa 1890

Urns – Height : 76 cm (30 in.) ; Width : 62 cm (24,4 in.)
Pedestals – Height : 115 cm (45,3 in.) ; Base : 53 x 53 cm (20,8 x 20,8 in.)

Exceptional pair of gilded bronze and gadrooned very rare « African Brèche » marble covered vases. Beautifully decorated with acanthus leaves, scrolls and lion masks motifs. Magnificent pedestals decorated on three sides with exceptional « Sicily Jasper » plaques framed with water leaves motifs. Gilt-bronze mounts figuring lion masks, scrolls, garlands, acanthus leaves and laurel crowns. Alfred-Emmanuel Beurdeley took inspiration for his vases from the famous model, made in antique porphyry, mounted with gilt bronzes in the eighteenth century and now part of the collections of the Louvre Museum.

Considering the quality of the bronze chiseling, of the mercury gilding as well as the rarety of the marbles such the « African Brèche » and « Sicily Jasper », these presented pieces can be considered as one of the most prestigious works produced by A.-E. Beurdeley. A similar pair of vases, made in gilded bronze mounted porphyry, was made by Alfred-Emmanuel Beurdeley for the Great Hall of The Breakers, Newport (USA), the luxurious estate of Cornelius II Vanderbilt.

Biography

In 1875, Alfred-Emmanuel Beurdeley (1847-1919) was at first assistant to and later succeeded his father Louis-Auguste Beurdeley, one of the main cabinet-makers of the Second Empire, specialising in XVIIIth century furniture. Louis-Auguste was the star whenever he exhibited and was “most favored by the royal and imperial families”. Although he produced the same kind of works of art as his father, Alfred Beurdeley was also a very well-known art collector and a skilled bronze sculptor. With Dasson, Grohé, Sauvresy and Fourdinois, the most famous artists of the period, he took part in the 1878 Universal Exhibition and won the gold medal. Crowned with glory he went so far as to open a shop in New York. His participation in the 1883 Amsterdam Universal Exhibition drew considerable attention to his work and “Alfred Beurdeley, Fabricant de bronzes d’art” was then awarded the Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur, France’s hightest official mark of recognition. He thus won the respect of both the government and contemporary art critics. His last presentation was during the 1889 Universal and International Exhibition, when the director of the Exhibition wrote in his report : “The talent of Mr Beurdeley is self evident when one inspects his furniture.”

Bibliography

L’univers des bronzes, Yves Devaux, Ed. Pygmalion, Paris, 1978, p°261.

« La saga Beurdeley (1814-1919) », Bernard Dorival, B.S.H.A.F., 1989, p°191.

L’ameublement d’art français, 1850-1900, Camille Mestdagh, Les Ed. de l’Amateur, Paris, 2010, p°130.

The post A.-E. Beurdeley<br/>Rare set of urns and pedestals appeared first on Tobogan Antiques.

Cabinet-maker and bronze caster
(1847-1919)
(attributed to)

A rare center table

France
Circa 1880

Height : 75 cm (29,5 in.) ; Width : 95 cm (37,4 in.) ; Depth : 55 cm (21,6 in.)

Made exclusively in richly carved boxwood ; with a fine pierced belt ornamented with laurel branches. Raised on four legs joined by a stretcher, centred by a carved boxwood vase. Topped with a red Griotte marble.

Beurdeley liked to use boxwood because of its hardness. Beurdeley, this cabinet-maker and sculptor at the same time, could then making pieces of furniture presenting a very high quality of carving. He showed for instance a beautiful boxwood table at the 1878 Paris Universal Exhibition (in « Beaux-Arts et Arts décoratifs à l’Exposition Universelle de 1878 », p.395).

Biography

In 1875, Alfred-Emmanuel Beurdeley (1847-1919) was at first assistant to and later succeeded his father Louis-Auguste Beurdeley, one of the main cabinet-makers of the Second Empire, specialising in XVIIIth century furniture. Louis-Auguste was the star whenever he exhibited and was “most favored by the royal and imperial families”. Although he produced the same kind of works of art as his father, Alfred Beurdeley was also a very well-known art collector and a skilled bronze sculptor. With Dasson, Grohé, Sauvresy and Fourdinois, the most famous artists of the period, he took part in the 1878 Universal Exhibition and won the gold medal. Crowned with glory he went so far as to open a shop in New York. His participation in the 1883 Amsterdam Universal Exhibition drew considerable attention to his work and “Alfred Beurdeley, Fabricant de bronzes d’art” was then awarded the Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur, France’s hightest official mark of recognition. He thus won the respect of both the government and contemporary art critics. His last presentation was during the 1889 Universal and International Exhibition, when the director of the Exhibition wrote in his report : “The talent of Mr Beurdeley is self evident when one inspects his furniture.”

Bibliography

L’univers des bronzes, Yves Devaux, Ed. Pygmalion, Paris, 1978, p. 261.

“La saga Beurdeley (1814-1919)“, Bernard Dorival, B.S.H.A.F., 1989, p° 191.

The post A.E. Beurdeley<br />Center table appeared first on Tobogan Antiques.