Pair of French Gilt Bronze Round Figural Wall Plaques, France, 19th Century

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Pair of French gilt bronze round figural wall plaques or roundels. They date back to the 19th century and feature … Read more Pair of French gilt bronze round figural wall plaques or roundels. They date back to the 19th century and feature classical putti or cherub figures in high relief, most likely crafted in the Louis XVI style. Originating from France and designed by Ferdinand Barbedienne (6 August 1810 – 21 March 1892).



The plaques are made of bronze with a gilt (gilded) finish, a technique historically known as ormolu. This rich, warm gold finish highlights the intricate details of the figures and frames. Each plaque is housed within a circular frame adorned with a ribbon motif at the top for hanging. The relief sculptures depict charming scenes of putti amidst naturalistic elements like grapevines and foliage, which are common neoclassical design motifs. One plaque features a seated cherub playing a lyre while the other one a seated cherub playing a set of pan flutes.

The artist, F. Barbedienne, was a prolific bronze founder, who established one of the most important French foundries of the 19th Century. He received the Medaille d'Honneur at the Paris World Exhibition in 1855. See less