Pair of Egyptian Porphyry Ormolu-Mounted Brule Parfumes after Gouthiere

Description

A magnificent pair of Egyptian Porphyry and ormolu brule parfumes after Gouthiere, French Louis XVI/ neoclassical design circa 1870, after Pierre Gouthie're’s model, attributed to Alfred Beurdeley. Each with a triangular base and a triform frame with acanthus finial present on the lid, undercarriage of the porphyry, top, and bases. The ormolu supports are cast with a rams head each scrolling gradually to the bottom of the base into hoof feet. The urn-shaped porphyry bodies have removable covers surmounted by ormolu. Each piece is exquisitely hand-carved with exceptional detail present in each ormolu section. These can be easily attributed to the French Maker Beurdeley because of the find hand chasing and quality of the ormolu and the hi-polish of the Porphory. Porphyry is an exceptionally durable stone, which obtained its antiquity name from its rich red color, that is speckled with white accents. Porphyry is similar to the purple color called purpura by the Romans. Over the course of trade and barter, the name reached the massif where porphyry was quarried in Egypt, where the Romans adopted and called Mons Porphyrites. During the first century B.C., the Romans quarried porphyry, using and excavating the stone in such large quantities that it was almost entirely used. The exceptional stone began to be used for monumental reasons, gaining an Imperial Symbol, due to its analogy with Roman purpura, which had been the signified with regal dignity. Porphyry use was limited by Emporer Diocletian to the Imperial family. The onerous task of sculpting masterpieces with this stone has forever been lost, only to see such works of art from past-times. Gouthiere (1732-1813) was a renowned metal-worker, said to be the carver and gilder to King Louis XVI.

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