Desseins de Brasiers dont les Ornements peuuent Seruir aux Cuuettes, Tables, et autres Ouurages d'Orfeurerie, Plate 1

Art Historical Context

This etching by Alexis Loir, published by Pierre Mariette le fils, offers a glimpse into the elegant world of 17th- and early 18th-century French decorative design. Created between 1660 and 1713, the print belongs to a series titled “Desseins de Brasiers,” which provided ornamental patterns for braziers—portable metal heaters—along with related luxury objects such as basins and tables. As an etching, it allowed fine, repeatable details to be shared widely among goldsmiths and artisans working in precious metals. The plate features fantastical creatures drawn from classical mythology, including griffins, sphinxes, and fauns, arranged in graceful, symmetrical compositions typical of Baroque ornament. These motifs reflect the period’s fascination with antiquity and the desire to elevate everyday functional objects into works of refined art. Such pattern books played a vital role in disseminating fashionable designs across Europe, helping shape the luxurious interiors of aristocratic homes. Now preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of Drawings and Prints, this sheet highlights the intersection of printmaking and the decorative arts, showing how artists like Loir contributed to the craftsmanship of the era.

About the Artist

Alexis Loir|Pierre Mariette le fils (French|French) · 1640 |1634 –1713 |1716

French, 1640–1713|French, Paris 1634–1716 Paris