An Exceptional Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Six Light Chandelier By Henry Dasson

An Exceptional Late 19th Century Gilt Bronze Six Light Chandelier

By Henry Dasson

With three large bronze cherubs playing horns, the neck wth plumes, the base and arms with flowers, berries and foliage, six perimeter lights.

Signed Henry Dasson et Cie 1889 to the base and stamped HD under some of the bronzes.

This chandelier is based upon the celebrated model by Pierre Gouthière in the Cabinet Doré in the Royal Palace of Versailles..

Henry Dasson was considered one of the finest makers of gilt bronze mounted furniture in the nineteenth Century. He established a workshop at 106 rue Vieille-du-Temple, Paris, and specialised in the production of Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI style furniture using the very finest ormolu mounts with the highest quality mercury gilding. In 1871, Dasson purchase Charles-Guillaume Winckelsen business and remaining stock.

Dasson exhibited at the 1878 and 1889 Paris Exhibition. He displayed Louis XV and XVI styles as well as pieces of his own modified eighteenth century design. The exhibits in 1878 included a table entirely in gilt bronze, purchased by Lord Dudley.

Pierre Gouthière (1732 – 1813) was the most celebrated bronze gilder in France during the eighteenth century, the title of ‘Gilder to the King’ being given to him by Louis XV. He perfected the most expensive type of gilding of this period, dorure au mat, which involved the use of lavish amounts of gold to create a rich, deep matte finish. As well as working for the King he created items for the Comte d'Artois, the Marquis de Marigny, and the duc d'Aumont.

The collection of the duc d'Aumont was sold at auction in Paris in 1782 and many objects mounted by Gouthière were bought by Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. His works, unsurpassed in creativity and execution, can now be found in the Wallace Collection and the Louvre.
Details:

Height – 37 inches / 94cm
Diameter – 29 inches /74cm
Lights – 6
Maker – Henry Dasson