Pair of firedogs c. 1770

These gilded bronze firedogs were made by Philippe Caffieri the Younger in 18th century France. As functional objects, they were designed to hold logs in a fireplace, but their elaborate design elevates them to the status of sculpture. Caffieri came from a family of sculptors who shaped the taste of the French court, which had a huge influence on design throughout Europe at this time. The dog itself has been meticulously sculpted to mimic the appearance of a poodle. The poodle, groomed in a lion clip, was a fashionable companion of the French aristocracy. These firedogs represent an interesting intersection of the domestic and the decorative. They speak volumes about the material culture of the French aristocracy. This kind of object asks us to consider the social life of art and the way art both reflects and shapes social values. Documents from the period, such as inventories, letters, and sales catalogues, can tell us more about the original owners and settings of these objects.