Antique French Louis XVI Style Bronze Doré Fire Screen, c.1880

This exquisite 19th-century French fire screen is a superb example of Louis XVI style, crafted circa 1880. Designed with both elegance and utility in mind, it features a finely wrought gilt bronze (bronze doré) frame surrounding an original black mesh netting, ideal for protecting from fireplace sparks while elevating any interior with regal sophistication.

The fire screen is richly decorated with classical scrollwork, floral garlands, and intricate acanthus detailing, all meticulously cast in bronze doré. Prominent rams’ heads—a hallmark of neoclassical design—adorn the corners, enhancing its symmetry and grandeur. The frame rests on four finely detailed feet, each reflecting the refined taste and craftsmanship of the Belle Époque era.

Pieces like this were common in aristocratic French interiors, where they served both as functional furnishings and decorative focal points. The Louis XVI style, inspired by Greco-Roman antiquity, was revived in the late 19th century as part of a broader neoclassical resurgence, and this screen embodies that timeless aesthetic perfectly.

This is, without doubt, one of the finest examples we've encountered—a rare find that would complement both period and contemporary interiors with its stately presence.