Inauguration November 27th, 2012
Dear friends, dear customers, After practicing for over fifteen years at the Louvre des Antiquaires, Philippe Zoï installed a new setting for his gallery Tobogan Antiques. Over the following pages, you will discover five new spaces divided by artistic themes over 200 m2, close to the world famous Champs-Elysées avenue. The ground floor reserved for temporary exhibitions, and four rooms on the first floor dedicated to the Second Empire, Japonism, Orientalism and the Neo-Renaissance style. Specializing in decorative arts from the second half of the nineteenth century, the antiques dealer Philippe Zoï also introduces a department for interior decoration. By mastering his work and his commitment to excellence, he is thus able to meet your highest demands for the most luxurious project of your dreams.
Grecomania
Exhibition on the ground floor
The exhibit named Grecomania or « When ancient Greece meets nineteenth-century Europe » presented a rare selection of Greek style works, most of which were greatly applauded by the jury during the Universal Exhibitions of 1867, 1878 and 1889. Guests could admire among others, a magnificent neo-Greek bust, cast in silver and gilded bronze, decorated with polychrome enamelled jewelery, made by E. Cornu, Machauld et G. Viot et Cie.
A very fine pair of Greek style stands, attributed to G. Servant (1828-c.1890), made in two patina bronze, ornated with lion muzzles, unique feature of Servant’s work.
A remarkable pair of Baccarat vases, made of opal crystal, decorated with blue « ancient » figures on white background.
A rare cedar humidor adorned with silver plated bronze motifs, due to the design of J. Brandely, the sculptor E. Frémiet and the cabinet-maker C.G. Diehl, whose works of similar style were presented at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1867.
ÂŤ The Pompeian Atrium Âť, oil on board signed L. Bazzani (1836-1927) and dated Roma 1879. This work of the Italian School shows the internationality of Greco-Roman taste.
This beautiful pair of vases-candelabras, due to the sculptor F. Levillain (1837-1907) and the world-famous bronze caster F. Barbedienne (1810-1892).
Second Empire
Grand Salon on the second floor
ÂŤ Return Âť, magnificent painting by Lina de Weiler (1823-1880), French school, exhibited at the 1866 Salon.
Rare pair of Napoleon III period easy chairs, executed in gilded and lacquered wood. Beautifully preserved with their original silk and tapestry upholstery.
Second Empire
Grand Salon Overview
Exceptional Pair of trumpet-shaped Sèvres porcelain vases, known as « Decor with gold and colours Birds» , made in 1858 and painted in 1860.
Magnificent Louis XVI style upright secretary, by C.G. Winckelsen (1812-1871), veneered with amaranth and ambony burl and ornated with Japanese lacquer panels.
Another view of the Second Empire Grand Salon, centering «The Four Seasons», a large « meuble d’appui » by C.G. Winckelsen (1812-1871), surmounted by a luxurious figural clock with Venus and Cupid, signed H. Dasson (1825-1896), flanked by a rare Louis XVI style gilt and ‘gun barrel’ bronze set, made of a pair of candelabras, after a model created in 1780 for Queen Marie-Antoinette at Versailles, and a pair of wall lights, after a model by Thomire, made in 1787 for the King’s games room at the Saint-Cloud Palace.
« Sang de boeuf », pair of covered baluster shaped vases, made in copper-red flamed overglaze porcelain and gilt-bronze mounts.
Exceptional pair of commodes attributed to J.E. Zwiener (active from 1880 to 1895), in amaranth and tinted sycamore, decorated with floral lemonwood marquetry.
Magnificent pair of paintings, « Orchids » and « Cactus », by M.D. Mutrie (1824-1886) and A.F. Mutrie (1826-1893), English school, both presented at the Paris Universal Exhibition held in 1867.
Second Empire Office Overview
Cressent (after a model), sumptuous ‘royal’ commode, exotic woods trellis parquetry.
A jewel casket, designed by A.V. Geoffroy-Dechaume (1816-1892), and made by the silversmith F.J. Rudoolphi (1808-1872). The excellence of the French nineteenth century goldsmith, circa 1850, parcel-gilt silver, enamel, pearl and gems. A masterpiece. Similar works exhibited at the London Victoria and Albert Museum and at the Paris Louvre Musuem.
A very rare Louis XV taste chandelier, serpentine shape with foliage decor. Gilded bronze and rock-crystal.
Japonism
Sitting room on the second floor
« Japanese Dance », E. Lachaise (1857-1925), French school, oil on canvas dated 1889. Pupil of Jules lefebvre, that Americanborn painter, close to E. Manet, dedicated in 1880 his talent to Japonism in his workshop located on Champs-Elysées avenue.
F. Barbedienne (1810-1892), the king of bronze casting. Pair of roll-shaped Japan bamboo vases, with gold highlighted bronze figural scenes and animals cartouches. Japanese style mounts designed by C. Sevin (1821-1888) in Barbedienne’s workshops.
Japanese style cabinet on stand, tinted alder, mother of pearl inlay and gilded bronze, circa 1880. Far-East style furniture owe much to G. Viardot (1830-1906), for both manufacturing quality and diversity of production. The Paris d’Ennery Museum is mostly dedicated to that artist and the Paris Decorative Arts Museum exposes some of his works. The jury of the Universal Exhibitions of 1889 and 1900 made no mistake in the awarding of several gold medals.
Rare dragon mirror by G. Viardot. Outstanding carved wood working.
Inkstand by F. Duvinage (1823-1876). Interesting creation of the late nineteenth century, patent filed in 1874 for a mosaic inlaying made of partitioned metal, ivory and tinted fruitwood.
Universal Exhibition of Philadelphia in 1876 : Pair of Japanese style ‘cloisonné’ enamelled vases, designed by A. Willms (18271899) et made by the firm of Elkingtons, the inventor of electroplating, who rose the artistic reputation of England at the highest rank, thanks to awards won in international exhibitions.
Orientalism
Salon on the second floor
ÂŤ Young Woman of Cairo Âť, gilt and polychrome bronze , dated 1879, shows the artistic genius of E. Guillemin (1841-1907).
The undisputed master of Orientalist sculpture, C. Cordier (1827-1905). ÂŤ Indian Women Âť which two similar life-size models, made in 1865 in onyx and bronze, were exposed at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1878.
Remarkable wood carving and ivory inlaying work. Octagonal center table, Nothern Italy, circa 1860.
The party
The gallery ground floor, displaying the exhibit « Grecomania ». Among the many guests, distinguished journalists as Mrs Olga Diaz for l’Estampille magazine, Mrs Corinne Chauvet for Helium publishers, Mrs Isabelle de Wavrin for Beaux-Arts magazine and Mrs Alexandrine Laurent, director of the Art department at EAC school.
Through the different themes showed in the rooms on the second floor, specialists from the art world could share their ‘connoisseur’ impressions, such as the collector Mr Abraham Moussai, the experts Mrs Catherine Hirsch and Mr Guy Kalfon, the antiques dealers Mr Michel Conte, Mr Jean-Louis Danant, Mr and Mrs Gérard Conte and the interior designer Mr Ramy Boutros.
Mrs Catherine Hirsch, member of the Paris Expert Council and Mrs Olga Diaz, for l’Estampille magazine
Mr Philippe Zoï and Mrs Isabelle de Wavrin, journalist for Beaux-Arts magazine
Mr Abraham Moussai, art collector and Mr Philippe Zo誰
Mrs Nathalie Rosenblum and Mr Guy Kalfon, expert
Mr Jean-Louis Danant, antiques dealer
Mr Michel Conte, antiques dealer
Mr Gérard Conte, antiques dealer and Mr Philippe Zoï
Mrs Nina Conte, antiques dealer
Mr Jean-Marc Boidana, art lover Mrs Nathalie Rosenblum and Mr François Louveau, employee at Tobogan Antiques
Mr Ramy Boutros, interior designer, Mr Philippe ZoĂŻ, Mrs Nathalie Rosenblum and a friend.
We also had the pleasure of hosting eminent specialists such Mr Daniel Alcouffe and Mrs Anne Dion, Curators in chief of the Decorative arts Dept. at the Louvre Museum, and Mrs Anne Gros, head of the archives and the Bouilhet-Christofle Museum.
Mr Daniel Alcouffe, Curator in chief of the Decorative arts Dept. at the Louvre Museum
Mrs Anne Gros, head of the Bouilhet-Christofle Museum
The family of Mr Philippe Zoï was also present, his mother, Mrs Gisèle Zoï and his two children Daphnée and Raphaël.
We hope to keep you share our enthusiasm for this great opening night, held in cettre prestigious Parisian address. Philippe Zoï awaits you in his new gallery at 14 avenue Matignon, where you can find all the objects presented in this portfolio and, according to Mr Daniel Alcouffe in person, which make this gallery « the temple of the nineteenth century furniture in Paris ».
TOBOGAN ANTIQUES 14 Avenue Matignon. 75008 Paris. France For more information, please contact us : Tel : +33 1 42 86 89 99 - Fax : +33 1 42 86 89 19 Email : tobogan.antiques@wanadoo.fr