Alphonse Giroux – Musical Inkstand

This inkstand depicts an African tribal figure with a child, in dark patinated bronze and gilt bronze.  The man has a quiver on his back to carry the winding key for the music box. The child beats a drum fitted with an inkwell; his torso is removable to function as a seal. A sheaf of leaves serves as a pen holder. The scene rests on a naturalistic base signed ‘ALPH GIROUX et Cie EDITEURS’, mounted on a kingwood and ormolu mounted plinth containing a musical movement, on four paw feet.  Alphonse Giroux (1775 – 1848)

Maison Alphonse Giroux was founded by François-Simon-Alphonse and continued in 1838 by his two sons, Alphonse-Gustave (1810-1886) and André (1801-1879). They specialized in fine quality small furnishings and decorative works of art such as caskets, candlesticks, trays and mirrors; and were favored by the French royal family; a testament to the exceptional quality of the works they produced. In 1867 Alphonse Giroux ceded the company to Duvinage and Harinkouck, who continued the firm under the same name until 1885 when it closed. Important works of art by Maison Alphonse Giroux can now be found in many of the major museums across the world including the Musée d’Orsay, Paris.