Pair of French Japonisme pedestals by Maison Marnyhac

Pair of French Japonisme pedestals by Maison Marnyhac
French, Late 19th Century
Height 105cm, width 64cm, depth 58cm
 
This magnificent pair of pedestals, crafted in the Japonisme style, showcases the exceptional artistry of Maison Marnyhac, a renowned French firm established around 1865 by Charles de Marnyhac (1840–1897). Based in Paris, the workshop catered to an elite clientele and was celebrated for its mastery of bronzes d’art and the firm gained acclaim for its exquisite craftsmanship and sophisticated designs. These talents extended seamlessly into the creation of luxury furniture, such as this pair of pedestals available in Mayfair Gallery's collection.
 
Topped with circular marble slabs, each pedestal is adorned with an intricate ormolu frieze. Beneath the marble, three bronze elephant heads serve as striking supports, each embellished with finely detailed headdresses. The upward-curving trunks, a symbol of prosperity and good fortune, add a luxurious touch to the design.
 
The elephants rest upon an elegant three-legged ormolu stand, with a pierced column featuring geometric and symmetrical motifs inspired by Japanese aesthetics. Delicate cast tassels and floral decorations further enhance the pedestals' opulent appearance. Connecting the legs is a concave stretcher, harmonizing with the design’s overall style. At its centre lies a pierced medallion. The legs rise gracefully, echoing the form of the elephants’ trunks, and terminate in rounded feet.
 
Each piece bears the distinguished maker’s mark: ‘MAISON MARNYHAC / 1. RUE DE LA PAIX / PARIS’, a hallmark of exceptional quality and provenance.
 
Maison Marnyhac achieved widespread recognition at international exhibitions and was regarded as a leading competitor to the famed Barbedienne atelier. Charles de Marnyhac himself was awarded the prestigious Légion d’Honneur, cementing the firm's legacy as one of Europe’s most esteemed creators of fine decorative arts. The design for the pedestals is by the French artist, Edouard Lièvre (d. 1886) who created a suite of Japanese-inspired furniture for Albert Vieillard (d. 1895), the director of Bordeaux's ceramics manufactory.
 
Artist/Maker: Maison Marnyhac