A Large Louis-Philippe Gilt-Bronze Charger

Description

A Large Louis-Philippe Gilt-Bronze Charger. France, Circa 1840.

Of finely cast and chased gilt-bronze with matte and burnished gilding. The dished central basin cast in relief with Neptune driving a chariot of hippocamps. The scrolled border cast with masks representing the four elements of earth, water, air and fire. Between the border is detailed with a wealth of elaborate motifs corresponding to each element. For earth, putti harvest. For water, a mermaid’s family frolic. For air, cloudborne cherubs play ball watched over by an eagle. For fire, Jupiter’s chariot rains down lighting.

France. Circa 1840.