IT IS THE FIRST TIME (IN ALMOST HALF A CENTURY..) THAT I OWN AND COMMENT A FIREPLACE “RAMEAU D'OLIVIER CARRÉ ”, MANTEL AS RARE AS THE FIGURINE IN THE PANINI ALBUM OF ATALANTINO PIZZABALLA, SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP 1963-64.
In order to better understand the characteristics of this fireplace, it is essential to know that the classic Rameau d'Olivier has an architectural structure (a “body” in short) first of all MUCH larger than the model we present in this card, but also much more complex in its forms, much more “loaded” with decorations...
Of this “big brother,” our fireplace retains in the center of the frieze the sculpture of two olive branches (otherwise it could not be called what it is called) in addition to the sculpture of three “Pompeian flutes” on each leg. In addition to these classic features, our mantel was fitted with a pair of “BOUCHES” (bronze mouths) on its sides, very fine elements and also quite rare to find..
The classic Rameau d'olivier”, given its IMPORTANT measurements and its important decorative load, was placed in the reception rooms while its younger brother, our Rameau d'olivier Carré, was purchased to be placed in the rooms..
Why are these Carrés so rare?
Because, WITH "BEDROOMS" DESTINATION there were – since the beginning of the nineteenth century – many models rather simple and at a much lower cost and, either because of the habit of mounting these models, or because putting a fireplace like our Carré (perhaps in three or four rooms) became a cost bearable only by a few Scrooge Scrooge.
However, in our case, I imagine it like this: A Parisian couple (Antoniette and Alain) decided to put in the bridal bedroom a nice fireplace, not the usual and poorer Pompadour Plat or Louis XVI Cannelure, and so they go to the Parisian Maison selling mantels for fireplaces of a certain level..). The fireplaces intended for bedrooms had measurements from 90 cm to 125 cm, an insurmountable limit according to the canons of that time, but Madame Antoinette opts for the largest and most expensive of the bedroom fireplaces of this genteel "Maison." Alain tries everything to save a few francs, but he fails (he has NEVER succeeded, in fact...) to convince his wife and thus the agreement (soto speak, in fact this is an unconditional surrender, but what can you do, the world goes like this, all the women of the globe complain saying that they are little considered and then... And then THEY COMMAND, ALWAYS AND HOWEVER.. ) between the two spouses, we were saying, the agreement is sealed and our Antoinette will thus be able, showing in her room such an important fireplace, to make her friends illividate from Envy while Alain, maybe for a week or two (no more, eh..) will be able to enjoy a muliebral armistice..
HISTORICAL NOTES ON THIS MANTEL:
OUR RAMEAUX D'OLIVIER CARRE', WAS CARVED IN AN ITALIAN SCULPTURE WORKSHOP OPERATING IN LUNIGIANA OR, IF YOU PREFER, IN THE “LAND OF THE LUNES”(AS THE ROMANS CALLED THAT AREA). THE “LUNI” WERE ETRUSCANS WHO LIVED AT THE FOOT OF THE APUAN ALPS, MOUNTAINS BLESSED AS THEY WERE RICH IN THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MARBLE IN THE WORLD.. ITS DESIGN WAS MADE (LET'S GIVE CAESAR WHAT IS CAESAR'S) BY THE ARCHITECTS OF THE PARISIAN MAISONS MENTIONED ABOVE. ITS EPOCH, HISTORICAL AND STYLISTIC, IS IN THE PERIOD FROM 1850 TO 1880, DUBBED NAPOLEON III OR SECOND EMPIRE, WHATEVER. ITS PRESERVATION IS REALLY OPTIMAL.
