Description/    

Magnificent mahogany fireplace from the Armand Behic ship,1890 to 1891. ?The double-scrolled feet in console carved with foliage and shells, support the mantelshelf adorned with a large inverted shell surrounded with leaves and flowers made against a background of crosses decorated with quatrefoils. A scroll joins the mantelshelf and the platform. The latter supports a trumeau carved from richly overmantel sphinxes seated on a bowed pedestal, holding garlands of flowers in their claws and fruits that run along the pier. The sphinx - or female sphinx- frame the face of a clock inserted into a shell. The sculptor has brought all his attention to the sphinxes, slightly different from each other, their faces full of expression, and the details: the hair, banners, garlands or wings. Finally it should be noted the sophistication and elegance brought to the decor by the shell design in balance with it, placed in the center of the mantelshelf, from the bow or cresting the frame, which all give coherence to facade of our fireplace. The panel of woodwork as well as the cast iron insert that accompany the fireplace are carved with an interlacing decoration, falling flowers and shells.?

The remarkable quality of the sculptures and the care taken in their placement make this fireplace an exceptional object.

This fireplace was made for the dining room of the Behic Armand ship, inaugurated April 26, 1891 in La Ciotat. It was so named in honor of Armand Behic (1809-1891), Minister of Agriculture, Trade and Public Works of Napoleon III and founder of the shipping company. Until 1903, the Armand Behic covered the route between Australia and New Caledonia. It was by this ship that Paul Gauguin returned to France in 1893. ?It was then assigned to the route of the Far East and then the Mediterranean, and would participate in the landing of French troops at Cape Helles. Survivor of the World War, it was demolished in October 1924.