A PAIR OF CONSOLES “AUX SIRÈNES” Louis XVI style, Paris, late 19th century. Stamped Henry Dasson and numbered or dated 1884 (Henry Dasson, 1825–1896). Based on a model by Georges Jacob (1739–1814). Mahogany and gilt bronze. Rectangular, “brocatello” marble top with rounded front corners and a stepped projection in the center, resting on a straight frame and turned, fluted legs carved with palmettes, on bronze paw feet. The leg is decorated with two gilt sirens as additional supports. Partially openwork bronze decoration in the form of flower garlands with mesh and a plaque depicting cupids with a goat. 80 × 36.5 × 86 cm. Few signs of use and losses. Repairs to the rear frame. Provenance: German ownership. The model for this pair of consoles with their characteristic siren caryatids comes from the workshop of Georges Jacob (1739–1814) and was made in 1781 for the Comte d'Artois (1757–1836), later King Charles X, and his “cabinet turc” in the Palace of Versailles. The center table features a double siren caryatid on all four legs, which are additionally winged. The center table is kept in the Louvre in Paris (inv. no. OA 5234). Henry Dasson's pair of consoles follow the model from the Louvre, although some essential features, such as the wings of the sirens, have been altered in favor of human arms. As in the example from the Louvre, the central support leg incorporates the twisted and fluted column, the vase, and the sabots in the form of a lion's paw. For the finely executed bronze decorations, Dasson was inspired by the work of the famous bronze artist Pierre Gouthière (1732–1813). Variations of this pair of consoles are illustrated in Camille Mestdagh: L’Ameublment d’art français 1850–1900. Paris 2010, p. 230, figs. 270 & 271 and Christopher Payne et al.: Paris Furniture. The Luxury Market of the 19th Century. Château de Saint-Rémy-en-l'Eau 2018, p. 314. * The full tax is charged on this item marked *, i.e. VAT is charged on the sum will be refunded to Purchasers providing a validly stamped export declaration.