Grand 19th Century French Louis XIV Bronze Jardiniere

Grand 19th Century French Louis XIV Bronze Jardiniere is larger than most examples from this period, and correspondingly heavier as well!  The amount of intricate detail invested in this design is truly remarkable to behold, bespeaking a level of artistry and craftsmanship of a bygone era.  The basic violin shape consists of a pierced casework that defines scrollwork, egg and fruit motifs, symbolic of the generosity of God's blessings, with the main side walls wrapping completely around the piece, framed above and below with bold molding tiers.  The molding is adorned with fanciful stylized shell and foliate motifs in an heraldic crest form on the long sides, with a more open design on each end useful as handles, and embellished with fierce lions' heads and foliate motifs.  The lower support structure elaborates on the theme with naturalistic foliate, rosette and scrolled forms encircling the entire piece accentuated by boldly scrolled legs on each corner and at the middle on each side, elegant lions' paw feet.  The original tin liner remains extant, indicating the extraordinary level of care to which this artifact has been subjected for the past century and a half, making it an especially well-preserved instant family heirloom!
Circa 1850s
Measures 11H x 19.5W x 11D