{"title":"7.26 Shop Main Showroom","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"george-iii-marble-and-blue-john-dolphin-tazza","title":"George III Marble and Blue John Dolphin Tazza","description":"This important George III tazza is attributed to famed Scottish-Swedish architect Sir William Chambers. The magnificent piece features a base carved from statuary marble in the shape of a stylized dolphin, which relates to Chambers' extraordinary 18th-century architectural designs. A marvel of beauty and craftsmanship, the tazza is also inset with specimens of Derbyshire Blue John in both the plinth and bowl. Blue John is one of the most in-demand decorative stones in the world, and its inclusion in this piece elevates the tazza to a true Georgian masterpiece. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Due to its popularity, the largest veins of Blue John had disappeared by the early 19th century, and only a small amount of the stone remains today. Because of its scarcity, most examples of Blue John furniture feature only small inset veneers. By contrast, this rare tazza features not one, but two substantial specimens of the stone. It represents some of the last ornamental wares created of such grand size and proportion, though other smaller examples still grace the stately British estates of Chatsworth, Hardwick, Kedleston and Haddon, among others. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Not only does this tazza boast a highly rare material, but it was also designed by one of the most important architects and designers of the Georgian era. Sir William Chambers was a Scottish-Swedish architect based in London who was active during the reigns of Kings George II and George III. Celebrated for his combination of English Palladianism with French Neoclassicism, he published several design treatises during his lifetime and built houses for British nobility. The dolphin design of this tazza embodies his complex yet conservative style. Similar dolphin designs can be found in Chambers' \u003cem\u003eThe Franco-Italian Album\u003c\/em\u003e, a large group of drawings by the architect currently held by the Victoria \u0026amp; Albert Museum. Dolphins also appear on the British Royal Family's Gold State Coach, which was designed by Chambers and built in 1762 for George III. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Hardstone furnishings such as this were popular among the British aristocracy during the 18th century, and connoisseurs actively sought out the most gifted artisans from which to commission these exquisite masterworks. This particular tazza hails from an important titled British estate, for which it was specially designed and commissioned. Today, it stands as a stunning example of both Georgian artistry and the natural beauty of Blue John. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1780 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 18 1\/2\" diameter x 17 1\/4\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42446739669127,"sku":"30-9161","price":68500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/30-9161_1_8e5e9989-71f1-446b-a28c-c0ab6765bb7b.png?v=1743858051"},{"product_id":"equestrian-portrait-of-louis-xiv-by-girardon","title":"Equestrian Portrait of Louis XIV by Girardon","description":"King Louis XIV, one of France's greatest monarchs, sits confidently astride a prancing steed in this bronze equestrian statue. The extraordinary work is a reduction of the portrait of the Sun King by François Girardon, one of the most noted and influential sculptors of the period. Looking back to the great masterpieces of antiquity, Girardon took his inspiration from the seminal ancient Roman marble of Marcus Aurelius, now in the Musei Capitoline (Rome). Louis XIV is thus portrayed here as a conquering Roman hero, his costume adorned with many neoclassical motifs, hand outstretched in a gesture of command. The result is an imposing royal portrait of power and absolute authority that pays homage to one of the most important sovereigns in French history. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e It was in 1685, at the very height of his rule, when Louis XIV commissioned the monumental bronze of himself from the great Girardon. As sculptor to the king, Girardon was a key figure in the decoration of the gardens at the Château de Versailles, and he was later commissioned to complete several important royal projects, this equestrian sculpture included. The bronze was erected in the Place Louis-le-Grand (now the Place Vêndome) in 1699, but was regrettably destroyed less than a century later during the French Revolution in 1792. One small section of the original does remain — the left foot of the king, which is now held in the Musée Carnavalet (Paris). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Luckily, Girardon recognized the importance of his creation and executed four bronze reductions of the sculpture. Today, three of these four can be found in the British Royal Collection (London), the State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg) and the Louvre. The example in the Louvre is the only signed reduction cast by Girardon. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Since the 17th century, other reductions of the work have been created, including the present bronze, which dates to the late 19th century. Parisian bronziers such as Henri Dasson and Alfred Beurdeley were among the important makers who re-created the sculpture during this period, and this could have come from their workshops. It is a stunning ode to this great monarch, reflecting the glory of his reign and the glory of France. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The archetype of absolutism in royalty, the 72-year reign of Louis XIV, the longest in European history, not only enhanced the power of the monarchy but catapulted France to become the most powerful nation in Europe. Louis XIV built Versailles during his reign to reflect the grandeur of the King and his court which ruled under the belief, \"One King, One Law, One Faith.\" The period during which he served as King of France became known as \"The Age of Louis XIV.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1820 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Sculpture: 36\" wide x 19\" deep x 43\" high\u003cbr\u003e Base: 37 1\/4\" wide x 25\" deep x 30\" high\u003cbr\u003e Total: 37 1\/4\" wide x 25\" deep x 73\" high","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41540597252231,"sku":"31-2479","price":228500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-2479_1_0c11a30e-dadd-42a4-a35c-0aef0ed74a84.png?v=1717920736"},{"product_id":"expanding-jupe-dining-table-by-johnstone-and-jeanes","title":"Expanding Jupe Dining Table by Johnstone and Jeanes","description":"This exceptionally rare circular expanding dining table was designed by Robert Jupe and crafted by the English cabinetmakers Johnstone \u0026amp; Jeanes, successors to Johnstone, Jupe \u0026amp; Co. One of only a handful known from the firm, this table illustrates the Victorian era's quest to combine technical innovation with superb and beautiful craftsmanship. Complete with its original leaves, the table’s circular top is formed from eight separate segments. When the top is rotated, an ingenious swivel mechanism causes the sections to diverge, allowing a set of small or large leaves to be inserted for an adjustable increase in size. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The design for the table was patented by Robert Jupe in 1835, who had envisioned “an improved expanding table so constructed that the sections composing its surface may be caused to diverge from a common center and that the spaces caused thereby may be filled up by inserting leaves or filling pieces.” The first of these fascinating tables were created between 1835 and 1840 during his partnership with John Johnstone and their firm of Johnstone, Jupe \u0026amp; Co. in London. Jupe left the company in 1840, after which the firm changed its name due to a new partnership and became Johnstone \u0026amp; Jeanes. The firm would eventually achieve international fame for its remarkable designs, exhibiting a \"circular table...made on the expanding principle\" like this one at the Great Exhibition of 1851. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Jupe was not alone in his fascination with combining the technical merits of engineering and mechanics with the more artful pursuit of cabinet making. The first half of the 19th century saw a prolific increase in the popularity of applying new ideas to furniture principles, which allowed furniture to serve many purposes. The resulting “patent” furniture was practical and refined, although none so much as this remarkable and quite stunning table which is equally suited for intimate gatherings or large, formal dinners. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Features brass Johnstone \u0026amp; Jeanes plaque \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1850 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 65\" diameter x 29 3\/4\" high\u003cbr\u003e 93\" diameter when fully expanded \n","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41347063742599,"sku":"31-2887","price":288500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/31-2887_1_6f21811f-e85b-4f39-875d-b9d38de1ffd9.png?v=1780144142"}],"url":"https:\/\/rauantiques.com\/collections\/7-26-show-main-showroom.oembed","provider":"M.S. Rau","version":"1.0","type":"link"}