An exceptionally unusual French Neo-Renaissance fireplace set dating to the late 19th century, circa 1880, comprising a pair of tall brass chenets or landiers together with their corresponding sliding fireplace fender.
Each chenet is richly detailed with an architectural scrolling base centred by a finely cast female mascaron, rising through a baluster-form stem to a large hand-painted polychrome ceramic globe. Decorated in cobalt blue, yellow, ochre and softer pale tones, the glazed ceramic spheres have the character of decorative faience and are held within finely detailed brass mounts. Their colourful decoration provides a striking contrast to the mellow, naturally aged surface of the brass.
The tall uprights retain curved porte-broche fittings, derived from earlier French landiers where similar supports were used for roasting spits at the hearth. By the late 19th century, these traditional functional elements were also incorporated into elaborate decorative fireplace furnishings inspired by earlier French hearth furniture. One globe axle features an authentic integrated utility hook, historically used for securing a hearth chain or hanging small ember tongs or another fireside implement. The remaining decorative brass end-caps are fully intact, creating the beautiful and intentional asymmetry of the original design.
The pair is accompanied by its long brass fender, which slides through openings incorporated into the bases of the chenets, completing the fireplace ensemble. Despite extensive research, we have been unable to find another surviving pair of chenets incorporating hand-painted ceramic globes, making this an especially unusual example of late-19th-century French fireplace furniture.
The brass retains a beautifully aged and naturally varied surface, with mellow golden tones, darker areas, oxidation, traces of verdigris and wear accumulated through many decades of use. The iron elements to the reverse retain their expected oxidised finish. This naturally developed patina is an important part of the character and history of the set and has been left undisturbed.
With their considerable scale, sculptural brasswork and highly decorative ceramic centres, these chenets would make a striking feature in a large stone or period fireplace. A rare surviving French fireplace ensemble combining the traditional form and practical details of the landier with the richly decorative Renaissance Revival style of the late 19th century.
Sourced in: South West France
Age: 19th Century (circa 1880)
Material: Brass, iron & ceramic
What makes them special: Their beautifully hand-painted ceramic globes.
Large Antique French Neo-Renaissance Brass & Ceramic Fireplace Chenets with Fender Details:
Height of each chenet: 18.5" / 47cm
Width of each chenet: 9.5" /24cm
Depth of each chenet: 5.2" /13cm
Length of the fender: 32.8" / 83cm
Weight of the set (approx): 15.9 lbs / 7.2kg
Date: Circa 1880.
Condition: Good antique condition with wear consistent with age and use. The brass retains a naturally aged, varied patina with areas of darkening, oxidation, verdigris and surface wear, while the iron elements show expected oxidation from historic use at the hearth. The hand-painted ceramic globes remain intact with age-related surface wear, and the decorative brass fittings, including the intentionally asymmetrical utility hook and remaining end-caps, are intact. The set has deliberately been left unpolished to preserve its authentic aged surface.
We have more vintage and antique decorative accents available here.
