Centrepiece - Gilt Metal Putti Gallery - 14,5 cm - Brass

A finely cast circular gilt-metal gallery in the Louis XVI Revival style, decorated with alternating winged putti (cherubs) joined by floral garlands and scrolling foliage above a richly ornamented floral border.

Unlike simpler decorative castings, the putti are individually modelled with subtle variations in facial features, hairstyles and poses, reflecting a higher level of craftsmanship. The lower border is decorated with roses and scrolling foliage, while the upper rim contains a continuous series of original fixing holes, indicating that the gallery was originally attached to a removable glass or porcelain liner.

The piece most likely formed part of an elegant French or Belgian decorative object such as a:

jardinière,
centrepiece,
bonbon bowl,
cachepot,
or ornamental glass bowl.

Its openwork design, refined Neoclassical ornamentation and dancing garland-bearing putti are characteristic of decorative metalwork produced during the Louis XVI Revival period around the turn of the twentieth century.

The gallery survives as a complete ring and makes an attractive decorative object in its own right or could serve as an authentic restoration component.

Condition

Good antique condition.

Complete circular gallery.
Original gilt surface with expected wear and patina.
Localised wear exposing the underlying metal.
Evidence of an old repair or soldered area on the reverse.
Minor casting irregularities consistent with age and manufacture.
No significant structural damage observed.

Please study the photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description.