Henri Cahieux, Ferdinand Barbedienne Pair of "Bambous"...

Henri Cahieux, Ferdinand Barbedienne Pair of "Bambous" fifth wheels attr. to H. Cahieux & F. Barbedienne France Circa 1855 A similar model was exhibited at the Exposition Universelle de Paris in 1855. Patinated bronze, Griotte marble Total height: 154 cm; Width: 33 x 33 cm Bowl: height 17 cm A very attractive pair of bronze sellettes, also known as bamboo candelabras. They each stand on three claw feet adorned with lion heads separated by palmettes. A bamboo stem rises from the base, ending in three flower buds supporting a circular tray in cherry-red marble, on which an antique-style bowl adorned with ivy stands. The sobriety of the decoration on these pieces highlights the quality of the bronze and the nuances of the patina. The chains falling from the tray enliven the clean lines of these pieces. The model: The design of these sellettes, inspired by antique tripods, is a well-known model in Ferdinand Barbedienne's production, and was used on several occasions by the bronzemaker. Designed by chief decorator Henri Cahieux, this model was published by Maison Barbedienne in 1855 under the title Candélabre antique porte-lampe h. 1m35 and sold for 440 francs. From 1875, the pair was marketed under the name Candélabre bambou, trépied, porte-lampe and came in three sizes: 1m90, 1m70 and 1m35. This model would later appear in all Barbedienne catalogs. This pair of bamboo candelabras shows how F. Barbedienne knew how to adapt the same model over several decades, and how it was used in many of the great interiors of the Second Empire. A model identical to ours was presented by Barbedienne at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1855. On this occasion, Empress Eugenie purchased it for her bathroom at the Château de Saint-Cloud. A watercolor by Fortuné de Fournier, painted in 1860, shows them arranged on either side of a psyche made by Maison Fourdinois. The Empress was so taken with this model that she ordered two more pairs in 1858 for her boudoirs in the palaces of Compiègne and Fontainebleau. We also know that sellettes of this type were installed in the Pompeian house built in 1856 by architect Alfred Normand (1822-1909) for Prince Napoleon. Several photographs and engravings of the house show these candelabras, then used as lamp-holders. Although all the neo-antique furnishings were designed by Charles Rossigneux (1818-1908), the presence of these sellettes in the residence bears witness not only to the participation of Maison Barbedienne on the building site, but also to the success of this model within the imperial circle. Biographies : Henri Cahieux (1825-1854): chief decorator for the art bronze manufacturer Ferdinand Barbedienne, he was destined for a brilliant career, as evidenced by the works he sent to the 1850 and 1853 Salons. Most of his pieces were executed in the Greek style, which was very much in vogue at the time. Victor Champier's article, "Les artistes de l'Industrie", published in the Revue des arts décoratifs (Dec. 1888), echoes the genius of this artist: "Barbedienne had just lost (in 1854) this promising boy, taken by cholera in the prime of life, and whose works, imbued with a delicious grace, heralded in him a master". At the Exposition Universelle de Paris in 1855, his lamps, which appeared as his last testimony, won a Medal of Honor at the Barbedienne stand. Louis-Constant Sévin (1821-1888) successfully succeeded him in the business. Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892): he created and managed one of the most important art foundries in the second half of the 19th century. He owed his fame as much to his castings of ancient and modern sculptures, whose subjects were drawn from the greatest museums in Europe, as to his original bronzes, designed in his workshops and destined for furniture and decoration. In addition to his own production, Barbedienne worked for such renowned sculptors as Barrias, Bosio, Clésinger and Carrier-Belleuse. Having already won two Council medals at the London Exhibition in 1851, Maison Barbedienne went on to win a Grand Medal of Honor and eleven Cooperative Medals for its model designers, chiselers and fitters at the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris. Barbedienne's success at the International Exhibitions led to numerous official commissions, such as the bronze furnishings for Prince Napoléon-Joseph's Pompeian home on Avenue Montaigne in Paris, around 1860. Declared out of contention, in his capacity as jury member and rapporteur, at the 1867 Exposition Universelle, he nevertheless exhibited successfully. Appointed Officier de la Légion d'Honneur, i