A Pair of Parcel-Gilt and Bronze Torchères

Cast from a model by J. Gautier, by the founders P. Van Mons, circa 1870

Each surrounded with a seated sphinx above a reservoir with three lights supported on a tapering upright above a decorated collar hung with swags above a tapering column with tripod legs terminating in claw feet on a shaped plinth base, inscribed to the upper side J. Gautier Sculpteur and to one edge P.van Mons et Cie 11 rue Harlay Paris

Each torchère: 92 ½ in (235 cm) high

Provenance
Marcel Grunspan, Paris

At the 1900 Paris Exhibition, Gallé exhibited a similar commode called Ipomoea, which was well received, and is now in the collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Its exhibition inspired the commission of the present commode, Nocturne, for the important collector Henry Hirsch of Nancy. Hirsch did not like the discrete marquetry on the Ipomoea commode, so requested something different. The same framework was used but the morning glories on the broad panels of the Ipomoea were replaced by chrysanthemums and a mother-of-pearl butterfly. It is believed that no other Nocturne commode was ever made and this piece can be regarded as an undiscovered treasure.