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A pair of Louis XV ormolu and patinated bronze models of seated lion presse-papiers Mid-18th century (2) image 1
A pair of Louis XV ormolu and patinated bronze models of seated lion presse-papiers Mid-18th century (2) image 2
A pair of Louis XV ormolu and patinated bronze models of seated lion presse-papiers Mid-18th century (2) image 3
A pair of Louis XV ormolu and patinated bronze models of seated lion presse-papiers Mid-18th century (2) image 4
A pair of Louis XV ormolu and patinated bronze models of seated lion presse-papiers Mid-18th century (2) image 5
Lot 27*

A pair of Louis XV ormolu and patinated bronze models of seated lion presse-papiers
Mid-18th century

21 November 2023, 13:00 GMT
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £7,040 inc. premium

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A pair of Louis XV ormolu and patinated bronze models of seated lion presse-papiers

Mid-18th century
Their front paws resting on cartouches forming part of the rocaille and acanthus cast scrolling bases, the undersides with mounted fixed plates, serving as presse-papiers, 17.5cm wide, 10cm deep, 19cm high (6 1/2in wide, 3 1/2in deep, 7in high) (2)

Footnotes

Provenance
B. Fabre & Fils, Paris, 26 February 1996.

These rare models of presse-papiers, also called plaques à papiers, were sought after under Louis XV's reign. Often depicting naturalistic noble animals caught in movement, the bases were particularly heavy, cast with acanthus scrolls and other rocaille motifs, and had a flat bottom screwed to the upper section in order to lie flat on a pile of papers.

An identical pair to the present lot sold Christie's, Paris, 16 December 2008, lot 136. A related model, but depicting a raging lion and a lioness respectively, branded with a 'C' couronné poinçon were sold by Etude Tajan, Drouot-Georges V, Paris, 5 December 1989, and illustrated in the Drouot 1990 review, l'art et les enchères, published by Connaissance des Arts, p.257. Another pair with ormolu reclining lions and globes was sold Christie's London, The Collector Sale, 13 November 2019, lot 3. A related pair of lions presse-papiers is conserved at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris (inv. 27174 A -B).

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