French Neoclassical Napoleon III Garrisons, Set of 2

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Neoclassical garrisons, calamine and marble, napoleon iii – france
refined garnishes made during the napoleon iii era in france. It … Read more Neoclassical garrisons, calamine and marble, napoleon iii – france
refined garnishes made during the napoleon iii era in france. It presents a structure composed of a central body in the shape of an urn, with edges decorated in relief with floral garlands where fleshy roses are the protagonists, acanthus leaves and various neoclassical motifs. Three curvilinear, dynamic legs hold the urn to the base. This entire structure is made of calamine, an alloy used in the 19th century as an alternative to bronze, easily workable and dark-patinated to provide solemnity. The marble base is brecciated pink, probably italian.
garnishes like these were common to complement mantel clocks or to adorn consoles and fireplaces. The choice of materials such as calamine, patinated to simulate bronze, responded to the desire to democratize luxury, making these pieces accessible to a rising bourgeoisie.
style and period napoleon iii or second empire
the napoleon iii or second empire style gets its name because it was born in france at that time. Strictly speaking, the second empire was proclaimed in 1852 and ended in 1870, led by louis napoleon bonaparte as emperor of the french, although in the artistic sense it extended a few more years (until 1880). This style was very popular among the french bourgeoisie. The emperor himself was involved in the artistic development of the moment, although more closely linked to architecture. However, it is to empress eugenia that the evolution of the decorative arts is owed.
although it is inspired by the styles of the past, starting with classical antiquity, the renaissance, even louis xvi, much loved by eugenia, the most representative characteristic of the style is sumptuousness and ostentation, always aspiring to show wealth and opulence.
it is not a style designed specifically for the second empire, but a recovery of the different great french styles of previous centuries, a kind of compilation of french decorative trends. Special reference is made to louis xiv, louis xv, baroque and rococo, and little by little to louis xvi, with an eclecticist base. In short, the decorative styles that had positioned france at the forefront of interior design and furniture design in europe, both for quality, originality and beauty.
material: calamine, marble
style: neoclassical
period: napoleon iii
country of origin: france
good condition according to its age and use
dimensions: 26 x 18 x 18 cm. See less