Object Description
A pair of fine quality late 19th century (circa 1870) Louis XIV style ormolu figural chenets or fire dogs.
This pair of chenets each consist of a winged putto with fabric draped across his body, warming his hands over a flaming urn and seated on a plinth with swag decoration.
This is supported on a rectangular plinth with central sunburst, floral swag drapes below with foliate paterae to either side and to each end, all supported on four tapered baluster feet – the sun being the symbol for King Louis XIV – The Sun King.
At the beginning of his reign Louis XIV (1638-1715) chose the sun as his personal emblem, it represented his power, absolute monarchy and his identification with Apollo, the God of Peace and of the Arts – the emblem for the Sun King was portrayed as a human face surrounded by rays of light.
The sun king symbol can be found everywhere at The Palace of Versailles: on gates, doors and ceilings as well as being used on many other buildings, canons etc. and also continued to be used as a symbol in France over the years.
This pair of chenets are in good condition for age with a small loss to one of the lower floral swags.
Size:
Height: 11” / 28cm
Width: 11” / 28cm
Depth: 3” / 7.5cm