A French Gilt Bronze Double-Sided Tabernacle Encasing Two Enameled Plaques on Marble Pedestal
The Plaques by Paul-Louis-Alfred Serre (French, 1810-1892), Dated 1887 and 1889; The Tabernacle by F. Barbedienne Foundry, Paris, Late 19th Century
the plaques depicting Charity and the Holy Family with Elizabeth and Infant St. John after works by Andrea del Sarto (Italian, 16th Century), each signed ALFRED SERRE and F. BARBEDIENNE, the first example dated 1887, the second dated 1889; the tabernacle foot inscribed F. Barbedienne Paris, resting on the original griotte marble pedestal with revolving octagonal top.
Height of tabernacle 50 1/2 inches; plaques: 11 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches (sight).
Property from a Private Chicago Collection

Provenance:
Purchased from an unknown source, 17 January 1978
Property of the Von Oppenheim TrustChristie's, New York, 24 April 2001, Lot 254

Note:
Likely made for the Paris Exposition of 1889, the present lot represents an unusual and impressive iteration of the collaborative work made by renowned bronzier Ferdinand Barbedienne and the portrait painter and enamellist Paul-Louis-Alfred Serre during the last quarter of the 19th century. Preceding this work in their collaborative endeavor were a large Renaissance style gilt bronze clock with enameled plaques depicting Apollo, Diana, Dawn and Twilight exhibited at the 1878 Paris Exposition and a gilt bronze cigarette case mounted with painted plaques depicting Venus and Cupid made in 1891 and shown at the Paris Exposition of 1900.

Serre made his debut at the Paris Salon in 1869. The original works of Charity and The Holy Family by Andrea del Sarto (Italian, 1486-1530), of which the present lot's scenes are copies, would have been accessible to Serre at the Louvre during the plaques' time of production.

In good, stable condition overall. The bronze having an even, relatively bright patina with minor surface wear in the form of nicks and scratches commensurate with age. Dust to the recesses. Scattered instances of discoloration and oxidation to the bronze frame. Both panels in good condition with very faint instances of surface wear. The marble pedestal top with light surface wear in the form of nicks and scratches, as well as a visible outline from the octagonal tabernacle base. Areas of sticker residue to the base; can be removed. Concentrated area of scratches to one side of the pedestal's octagonal plinth.