Cheval glass (psyché)

François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter

ca. 1810–14 · Amboyna veneered on oak; gilt-bronze mounts; glass · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The psyché was so named for the heroine in La Fontaine's Les amours de Psyché, who was reputed to have looked at a full-length reflection of herself. Specific reference to the myth is in the frieze containing butterflies, symbols of Psyche. An identical gilt-bronze frieze was on a psyché made for Empress Marie-Louise in 1810. The two winged fantastic creatures on the crest hold a wreath, which probably originally contained a decorative motif or monogram.

Artist

François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter

Date

ca. 1810–14

Medium

Amboyna veneered on oak; gilt-bronze mounts; glass

Culture

French, Paris

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1924