19th century  Maison Marnyhac Chinoiserie Jardiniere Stands kit (no bowl)
 
A little background and description
 
Inspired by an Important Pair of Jardinières on Stands (see colour image above for the real full size original) of the Belle Époque Period attributed to Maison Marnyhac of Paris
The original was constructed in finely chased and gilded bronze, and incorporated Chinese cloisonné jardinières.
French & Chinese
Maison Marnyhac was the trade name for ‘La Société des Marbres et Bronzes Artistiques de Paris’, established in the mid-nineteenth century under the auspices of Charles de Marnyhac at avenue de l'Opéra then later at 1 Rue de la Paix, one of the most fashionable arrondissements of Paris.  Specialising in objets de luxe, the company exhibited at the Paris expositions universelles of 1878 & 1889, winning both general acclaim and awards. The love and admiration the West had for Chinese art occasioned the great French orientalist designer Edouard Lièvre to work in conjunction with Marnyhac, interpreting Chinese art, and producing many wonderful objects d'art. 
 
This beautiful chinoiserie inspired stand is simply stunning and would look beautiful in any formal room with maybe a lamp, chandelier or ornament placed on it. 
 
The bowl in one of the images can be purchased seperately. 
 
Easy to assemble
 
Size
95mm tall  (3 3/4") (In real life full scale this would have measured around 114cm tall)
 
The kit is unassembled and comes unfinished in dull pewter.  It will come with some very small casting spurs that will require removing with snips and sandpaper or a metal file.
 
Glue?
The kit can be glued with superglue although I use a super glue activator  to speed things up. 
 
Painting?
The pewter can be polished or painted. If painting please apply a thin layer of metal primer. This will help the coat of paint adhere to the surface. After priming you can use almost any paints but I always find that a spray application gives a finer finish. It is always better to build up fine layers than to add thick ones - you may end up with drips and cloggy bits if you apply to much paint in one application. You can of course gold leaf (or use dutch metal which is a cheaper version). Paint with primer then add the Boule colour which is usually red or yellow. Apply gold size in two thin layers then add the leaf. 
All finishes can be aged using waxes or brown paints - I like to mix a little off white with raw umber then finish off with a dusting of rotten stone.