French Gothic Revival Bronze Drapery Tiebacks, Dragon Form Rocaille Base C. 1850

Details

Description

This fantastical pair of wall-mounted tiebacks—originally designed to support heavy drapery in a richly appointed interior—epitomizes the Gothic Revival's theatrical … Read more This fantastical pair of wall-mounted tiebacks—originally designed to support heavy drapery in a richly appointed interior—epitomizes the Gothic Revival's theatrical flair as interpreted in the Second Empire period. Each tieback features a fierce, winged dragon in patinated bronze, its body arched outward in a dynamic S-curve from the wall mount. The head, with gaping jaws and alert ears, is superbly rendered with anatomical specificity and stylized flourish. Along the arched spine emerge a pair of deeply incised, batlike wings, recalling grotesques from medieval cathedrals and bestiaries. From beneath the dragon’s thorax hangs a polished gilt bronze finial, introducing a note of vertical elegance to the sinuous form.

These dramatic figures project from a deeply chased and gilded rocaille base composed of acanthus scrolls, beadwork, and stylized foliage. The combination of fantastical Gothic forms and the luxuriant curves of the Rococo vocabulary is typical of the eclectic historicism favored under Napoleon III. This period saw a resurgence of interest in medieval imagery, often filtered through the romanticized lens of 19th-century theatrical design and architecture.

Though unsigned, the high level of casting, with sharp undercut details and contrasting patinas, suggests a Parisian atelier of some standing—possibly associated with the foundries of Henri Picard, Durenne, or the decorative metalworks of the maison Barbedienne. Their scale and detail indicate they were likely commissioned for a hôtel particulier or a decorative arts installation of notable ambition.



Measures:

10" h x 3" w x 10" d. See less