19th century according to Charles Cressent (1685 - 1768) - Lot 424

19th century according to Charles Cressent (1685 - 1768) Phoenix and salamander caterpillars, Bronze, Size: H. 34 x W.: 31 cm and 32 x 30 cm for the other one Expert: Mr LACROIX Sculpture and Collection Related works : -Christie's, Le Goût français including "Le Pavillon de Ribourg", Paris, 13 April 2017, lot 123. -Sotheby's, Important furniture and objets d'art from a private Parisian collection, Paris, 9 November 2012, lot 208. Related literature : Alexandre Pradère, Charles Cressent : sculpteur, cabinetmaker du Régent, Dijon, Éd. Faton, 2003, p. 204-206. In his 2003 book, Alexandre Pradère proposes to attribute the model of these caterpillars to Charles Cressent based on a study of sales of the artist's stock. Indeed according to him, the 1757 sale presents the description of a pair of caterpillars known as "salamander and phoenix", of which we find a mention in a customer of Charles Cressent, Monsieur de Selle. However, this copy has some peculiarities compared to the pairs recently on the market and considered to be 18th century: it does not show any trace of gilding (was there an unfortunate stripping?) and the putti are not facing (they look outwards while the other copies look inwards at the cartridges, some of which have coats of arms). Finally, the cold chasing is much less precise and detailed on our copy: it is probably a later copy.