French Neoclassical Ormolu Bronze Centerpiece Garniture by Charlotte Monginot

This extraordinary garniture, including large figurative centerpiece and four small figurines,  was designed by the French sculptor, Charlotte Monginot (1872-1962), daughter of the accomplished artist, Charles Monginot (1825-1900). The large centerpiece measures 27” wide, 12” deep and 13” wide (68.6 by 33 by 30.5 cm), and the figurines measure approximately 7.7” (19.5 cm). The centerpiece is signed “Ch Monginot”, and the undersides of each are marked “FRANCE”, dating the piece to the later part of the sculptor’s career, circa 1893-1900.   Certainly exceptionally sculpted, well-cast, finished and gilt, the most unique aspect of this centerpiece is actually the accompanying figures, for figurative sculptures have rarely been executed in garnitures containing two or more works of art. Garnitures (sets of decorative objects) have been designed and produced for centuries in the East, commonly in the form of vases crafted from various metals and ceramics, and throughout Europe in clock sets featuring candelabra or tazze, as well as sets of tazze and candelabra, and there is some tradition in the West for designing and producing pairs of figurative sculpture, but this is the only bronze centerpiece with four accompanying figures we have seen in this scale and quality in over twenty years.   The centerpiece is in the form of a lake, with edges decorated in wild grasses, with turtles at four corners, and gilt lily pads floating on a patinated surface. Three putti are seated upon a dark patinated rock in center, with a cherub in center, standing upon a gilt bed of grass, joyfully admiring the water below. Two of the individual cherubs are kneeling on turtles, tempting the animals with treat in hand, while the other two are seated on turtles, coaxing them onward. The casting, finishing and gilding is of the highest quality throughout the set. Overall condition is also excellent with no obvious oxidation or signs of damage or restoration. Each piece is also exceptionally clean.   Born in Paris, Charlotte is the daughter of painter and engraver Charles Monginot (1825-1900), known for his portraits. Pupil of Denys Puech (1854-1942), Charlotte Monginot exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1895 onward. The artist's father, Charles Monginot, lived and worked in Paris and also had a studio and summer home in Dienville in the Champagne-Ardenne region, about 195 km northeast of Paris. He was a collaborator with Thomas Couture (1815-1879), the influential painter and teacher of the notable artists such as Edouard Manot, Henri Fantin-Latour, and John la Farge. Monginot made his Salon debut in 1850 and won medals in 1864 and 1899. His works are held in numerous museums, including those in Antwerp, Aurillac, Louviers, Metz, Nancy, Narbonne, Nice, Poitiers and Paris (Musee du Petit Palais), among others. The artist is listed in the Benezit Dictionary of Artists (Bénézit: Dictionnaire des peintres, sculpteurs, dessinateurs et graveurs), and well-represented at major auction over the past century.