Pierre Philippe Thomire: Psyche writing case with ewer, Empire period.

Writing case called "Psyché à l'eiguière" in rectangular shape in chiseled and gilded bronze, it (and yes, "writing desk", just like me, is feminine) presents in its center a winged vestal, kneeling on an antique lamp chiseled with a frieze of palmettes and gadroons, pouring oil from an ewer to rekindle the flame.

Finished with a tripod base with claw feet, it rests on a base and a counter-base on which we can read: "It will go out when you no longer write".

On either side are an inkwell and a pencil case on the front. The base, embellished with large palmettes and a fretwork frieze, rests on four winged claw feet. Empire period.

The central part of this writing desk is inspired by a drawing by Charles Percier (photo attached in the photo gallery), it is also to be compared to a fire delivered in 1809 by the house Thomire-Dutherme et Cie, for the Palace of Fontainebleau describes "(...) On these pedestals are antique lamps with ornaments on which are figures of seated women called psiché holding a buyre" - Charles Percier and Pierre-Léonard Fontaine, Recueil de Décorations Intérieures, Paris 1801, pl 18 , n°7 2- J P. Samoyault, Clocks and furnishing bronzes entered under the First Empire, Paris 1989, RMN Ed.

Very good state of preservation, magnificent original mercury gilding.

Empire period, around 1805.

Pierre-Philippe THOMIRE (1751-1843)

Dimensions:
Height 36cm
Width 37cm
Depth 26.5cm

Rare on the market, an identical model was sold at Koller Zurich:
https://www.kollerauktionen.ch/fr/329726-0015-1184-ENCRIER-_PSYCHE-A-L_AIGUIERE__-1184_449772.html

Ref: 0TMLAR9SQQ