Denière et Fils (French, 1804-1903)

In 1804, Jean-François Denière (1774-1866) founded Denière & Fils, which quickly established itself as an important manufacturer of decorative bronzes in Paris. By the time Jean-François’ son Guillaume (1815-1903) took over the family business in 1844, Denière & Fils were producing a variety of high quality decorative bronzes from various workshops in Paris.

Emperor Napoleon III awarded the firm the prestigious honour of ‘Fornisseurs de Roi’ (King's Supplier) and commissioned Denière & Fils to make various objects of art. These included two pairs of candelabra manufactured in 1855 for the Palais-Royal service, which were modelled on the Three Graces.

Appearances at the most important exhibitions of the time, including the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris, further enhanced the firm’s reputation. In addition to supplying important commissions to the Emperor, Denière & Fils attracted several of the most important patrons of the time, including Russian Ambassador Count Pavel Dmitrievich Kiseleff, the viceroy of Egypt Said Pasha and King Leopold II of Belgium. Following Guillaume Denière's death the firm closed and six sales of stock were held between February and December 1903.