Morillos. After Jacques and Philippe Caffieri

Couple of morillos. After JACQUES CAFFIERI (1678-1755) and PHILIPPE CAFFIERI (1714-1774).
"Dog" and "Persian Cat". France, ca. 1800.
Patinated bronze.
Stands in gilded bronze.
Measurements: 34 x 28 x 18 cm and 36 x 23 x 15 x 15 cm.

Pair of small bronze and gilded bronze morels, following models linked to Jacques Caffieri and his son Philippe Caffieri, two of the great French bronze artists of the eighteenth century. The pieces represent a poodle and a Persian cat on ornamental bases, combining the sculptural dynamism of high rococo with a classicist structure.

The naturalistic treatment of the animals, especially visible in the fur and the expressiveness of the figures, responds to the refinement of the Louis XV style. In contrast, the bases, with garlands, hanging draperies, laurel leaves and classically inspired legs, announce the change in taste towards early French neoclassicism.

The model has important historical references. According to Svend Eriksen in Early Neo-Classicism in France, it was first recorded in a 1755 inventory of Jacques Caffieri's workshop, and Philippe Caffieri supplied in 1773 to the Prince de Condé a pair of chenets with a cat and a dog, probably of the same model, for 1,120 livres.

Jacques Caffieri, master foundry-cincellator since 1715, was one of the most prominent members of a celebrated family of metal artists. His son Philippe Caffieri continued the family tradition and achieved great recognition, consolidating the Caffieri prestige in the production of 18th century French decorative bronzes.