19th Century Large Hexagonal Bronze Jardiniere in the Style of Victor Paillard

We present you a wonderful and extremely unique hexagonal bronze jardiniere from France with a decorative mask on each side and a three-legged stand featuring legs in dragon motifs and horse hoofs, inspired by the renowned bronze artist Victor Paillard (1805-1886). The plate itself is embellished with relief sculptures of classical figures heads on each of its five sides, along with floral motifs. It stands at a height of 93 cm and it is 66 cm long in diameter. Although it was designed to serve as a jardiniere, it can also function as a large ice presentation bowl for displaying champagne bottles.Victor Paillard was a bronze worker and sculptor born in the Eure region in 1805. At the age of 11, he came under the protection of a Spanish painter, the Count of Guzman. The Count took him to Paris to assist with the preparation of colours. In 1828, Victor Paillard began working for Jean-François Denière, a bronze worker and chiseler. It was with him that he learned the craft while also attending evening classes taught by Chenavard and the chiseler Martinot. In 1855, he was appointed as a member of the Jury for the Universal Exhibition of 1855, which took place in Paris. His reputation extended beyond borders, as he was called to work in Belgium, Austria, and especially in Russia, where he worked for Baron Alexander von Stieglitz. He also received several official commissions, including the decoration of the Foreign Affairs Palace on the Quai dOrsay.