Important Empire Jardiniere

A fine and important gilt-bronze mounted German Empire mahogany jardiniere from the early 19th century. Of square from, with a pierced gilt-bronze gallery, above a frieze applied with central lion masks flanked by further Empire ornaments, removable zinc liner, on gilt-bronze legs with capitals, joined by a very unusual ’X’-form stretcher with star elements, the feet terminating incastors.

This German jardiniere was produced in Berlin at the very beginning of the 19th century, in the French Empire taste probably by the bronzier manufacture Werner & Mieth, who were founded in 1792 and were given a Royal Appointment in 1794. They supplied chandeliers and bronze work of very hight quality for the most important palaces in and around Berlin.

Provenance: According to the previous owner this jardiniere comes from the collection of Prince Murat, Marshal of France and Grand Admiral or Admiral of France Joachim-Napoléon Murat (25 March 1767 – 13 October 1815). 1st Prince Murat, was Grand Duke of Berg from 1806 to 1808 and then King of Naples from 1808 to 1815. He received his titles in part by being the brother-in-law of Napoleon Bonaparte, through marriage to Napoleon’s youngest sister, Caroline Bonaparte.