Very large antique silvered and gilt bronze centrepiece by Morel

Very large antique silvered and gilt bronze centrepiece by Morel
French, 1851
Height 70cm, width 107cm, depth 70cm
 
This outstanding mid-19th-century centrepiece is an example of the work of Jean-Valentin Morel (1794–1860), one of the most celebrated silversmiths of his era. Designed for the Great Exhibition of 1851—where it was hailed as one of the most accomplished works of metalwork on display—the piece perfectly encapsulates the richness and exuberance of the Rococo Revival style.
 
Executed in silvered and gilt bronze, the centrepiece is a masterclass in ornamental design. Its focal point is a central glass basket (a later replacement), held aloft by scrolling foliate branches adorned with intricately cast grapevines and leaves—symbols of festivity and abundance. At its base, a vivid bacchanalian tableau plays out in remarkable detail, featuring four animated putti and a prowling leopard. The scene is alive with movement and expressiveness, a testament to Morel’s artistic sensibility.
 
Framing the central composition are four seated putti, each supporting three-branch candelarms that rise gracefully through the surrounding foliage, adding vertical rhythm and dramatic flair. To either side of the base, a pair of classical lobed vases rest on scrolled supports, their restrained neoclassical form providing a pleasing counterbalance to the ornamental richness of the central display. The entire piece is mounted on a lozenge-shaped mirrored base, lavishly decorated with scrolling acanthus and rocaille motifs. The mirrored surface mimics water, enhancing the sense of movement and allowing the sculptural elements to be admired from all sides.
 
Born in Paris in 1794, Morel was trained by his lapidary father and maternal relatives in the metal trades, later studying under renowned sculptor Henri Duponchel. After a successful early career in France, Morel relocated to London in the 1840s, establishing a showroom on Burlington Street with his son Prosper. Though initially struggling to establish himself among Britain’s established silversmiths, Morel’s distinctive style soon won him high-profile clients—including Queen Victoria, who awarded him a Royal Warrant.
 
When preparing for the 1851 Great Exhibition, Morel could not rely on past commissions to populate his stand, unlike his more established British counterparts. Instead, he created a collection of entirely new works, including this centrepiece, a rock crystal ewer, a model of Queen Elizabeth I, and a celebrated bouquet of jewelled flowers. The centrepiece was illustrated in the Illustrated London News and described as ‘one of the happiest works of its class in the exhibition.’ It was further praised as ‘one of the most complete’ objects on display and hailed as a triumph of British craftsmanship. Morel was later awarded a prestigious Council Medal in the enamel category.
 
Following the closure of the London showroom in 1852, many of Morel’s designs and models were sold to the neighbouring firm of R & S Garrard & Co., although this centrepiece was not among the documented acquisitions. Jean-Valentin Morel died in 1860, and in 1885 the firm was inherited by his granddaughter and took the name of her husband, Joseph Chaumet—under which it continues to operate today.
 
Rich in historical significance and exquisite in execution, this centrepiece represents the very height of 19th-century decorative arts. With its impeccable provenance and connection to one of the century’s landmark cultural events, it offers collectors an extraordinary opportunity to acquire a museum-quality piece by one of the period’s finest craftsmen.
 
Provenance:
Heritage Auctions, Dallas sale 5 December 2012, Lot 68091 ($334,999.60). Sold with additional, unrelated candelabra.
 
Exhibited: 
Great Exhibition, 1851
 
Artist/Maker: Morel, Jean-Valentin (French, 1794-1860)