Wholesale Pair of decorative plaques “Winter” and “Summer” – P. Lenoir, The Golden Sheaf, Paris, 1909–1911

At the beginning of the 20th century, Rue de Rivoli in Paris was one of the major centers of the art trade. Shops, bronze workers and publishers of decorative objects exhibited their creations there for the bourgeois interiors of the capital. The house La Gerbe d’Or, at 86 Rue de Rivoli, was one of those establishments that distributed sculptures, wall plaques and decorative objects inspired by the French artistic tradition. These two bas-relief plaques are signed P. Lenoir and were published by La Gerbe d’Or in 1909 and 1911. They represent two allegories of the seasons: * “Winter” (1911) — in gilded copper bronze: a woman and a child warming themselves around a fire, in a winter landscape with bare trees. Delicate modeling, soft draperies, contemplative atmosphere. * “Summer” (1909) — in gilded brass: two naked children playing on a beach, in a bright, carefree scene. Signature P. Lenoir visible at the lower left. The two plaques are mounted on the same textured green cardboard backing with a brass hanging ring, ready to hang. The inscriptions at the bottom of each plaque recall their origin: “Edited and offered by La Gerbe d’Or – 86 Rue de Rivoli – Paris” as well as the date 1797 (year of the house’s founding) and the publication date. * Sculptor: P. Lenoir * Publisher: La Gerbe d’Or – 86 Rue de Rivoli, Paris * Publication dates: 1909 (“Summer”) and 1911 (“Winter”) * Material: gilded copper bronze and gilded brass on cardboard backing * Dimensions: approximately 20 × 14 cm (set) * Hanging: brass suspension ring * Beautiful old patina, condition consistent with age More than a century later, these plaques retain all the discreet charm of Belle Époque decorative objects — a time when people loved to adorn walls with allegorical scenes of delicate modeling.