ID: 700009166 Page link: http://vocab.getty.edu/page/cona/700009166	Record Type: Movable Work
Images: 1

Pair of Firedogs (Chenets) (firedogs; Attributed to Charles Cressent (French, 1685 - 1768, master ...; about 1735; J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center (Los Angeles, Los A...; 73.DF.63)

Note: Designed to hold logs, firedogs or chenets take their name from the French word for a small dog. Pairs of firedogs were placed inside the fireplace, with their gilt bronze decoration concealing wrought iron bars that supported the burning wood. To earn money to pay fines and mounting debts, the ébéniste Charles Cressent was forced to sell these firedogs, which he made, along with the contents of his house and workshop at auction in 1757. In the entry in the sale catalogue for number 163, he proudly described these pieces in the following words: [A pair of] firedogs which represent two sphinxes, one playing with a cat and the other with a monkey, mounted on two feet, of the grandest taste. Amateurs will remark that these sphinxes are not treated like those one usually finds on firedogs; these could be considered to be one of the finest treatments in France, garnished with their sculpted and gilded ornament.

Titles:

Pair of Firedogs (Chenets) (preferred,C,U,RP,English-P,U,U)

Catalog Level: set

Work Types:

firedogs [300161848] (preferred)

..... (Objects Facet, Furnishings and Equipment (hierarchy name), Tools and Equipment (hierarchy name), equipment, <equipment by process>, <fire-making and controlling equipment>, fireplace accessories)

Classifications:

decorative arts (preferred)

Creation Date: about 1735

Creator Display:

Attributed to Charles Cressent (French, 1685 - 1768, master 1719) (French Artist) [preferred,JPGM]

Cressent, Charles (French ébéniste and sculptor, 1685-1768) [500001075]

Locations:

Current: Former: J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center (Los Angeles, Los Angeles county, California, United States) [500329598] J. Paul Getty Museum, J. Paul Getty Trust, Corporate Bodies (Corp. Body)

Repository Numbers: 73.DF.63

Other: Creation: Paris [7008038] Île-de-France (region (administrative division)), France (nation), Europe (continent), World (facet) (Geographic)

Display Materials: Gilt bronze

	ormolu [300011048]
	.......(Materials Facet, Materials (hierarchy name), materials (substances), <materials by composition>, inorganic material, metal, <metal by form>, plate (material), <plate by technique>)

Dimensions: each object: H: 38.7 x W: 36.5 x D: 20.6 cm (15 1/4 x 14 3/8 x 8 1/8 in.)

Cultures:

French (preferred)

General Subject:

utilitarian objects (preferred,isness)

Specific Subjects:

	sphinx [300375739]
	.....(Agents Facet, Living Organisms (hierarchy name), living organisms (entities), Eukaryota (domain), Animalia (kingdom), legendary beings) (AAT)

List/Hierarchical Position:

..... Movable Works

.......... Movable Works by class: decorative and utilitarian works

Sources and Contributors:
Pair of Firedogs (Chenets)	........ [VP,JPGM]
	........ J. Paul Getty Museum database for collections (2000-)

Subject: ....... [VP,JPGM]

Note:
English	..... [VP]
	..... J. Paul Getty Museum, collections online (2000-)