An exceptional Napoleon III fireplace, after the model by Verberckt and Caffiéri for the Dauphin’s bedchamber, Palace of Versailles

Located in the Dauphin and the Dauphine’s apartments and previously known as the Regent's study, the Dauphin's bedchamber has kept its 18th century decor and layout, dating back to the time when the apartments were inhabited by Louis XV's son and his wife Maria Josepha of Saxony, between 1747 and 1765. Before they began to live in these apartments, the interior design and decor of the rooms was completely redesigned by the King's first architect, Ange-Jacques Gabriel. Thus the Dauphin's bedchamber was entirely redone and redecorated with a red Campan marble fireplace which model was designed by Jacques Verberckt, also in charge of the sculpted decorations of the apartments.
« The mantelpiece draws a rare value from its gilded bronzes: on the jambs are attached two Herm figures whose flowered sheath encloses a young figure holding flowers; on the right is Zephyr, the cheek slightly inflated by his breath; on the left, Flora, smiling, who seems to take shelter with her raised arm. The author is Jacques Caffiéri. Flora and Zephyr's chimney-piece is one of his important works, which it is pleasant to find in its old place. » (in Histoire du Château de Versailles, Versailles au XVIIIè siècle by Pierre de Nolhac, p. 107)

Located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, in the prestigious rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, this mansion was built between 1718 and 1720 by architect Armand-Claude Mollet, at the request of the Count of Evreux, Louis-Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, hence the name of Hotel d'Evreux.

The building’s current appearance, as well as most of its interior designs, however dates back from 1853-1867 when Napoleon III decided the complete renovation of the palace by the architect Joseph-Eugene Lacroix.

This is how the Salon doré was created, a central room located on the first floor of the palace. The salon was decorated in 1861 by Ovide Savreux, sculptor, and Jean-Louis Godon, painter, to transform it as Empress Eugenie’s bedroom. The walls are decorated with tapestries from the Manufacture des Gobelins and a sumptuous fireplace in white Carrara marble adorned with gilded bronze and a cartouche bearing the N of Napoleon III. Here is the only element that differentiates this fireplace from its model from Versailles. Indeed, the gilded bronze decorating both jambs and representing Flora and Zephyr is quite identical, as well as the general design of the fireplace and its dimensions.

Zephyr, represented as a young winged man, hair in the wind, supports an important garland of flowers that he seems to show to Flora. This one, with fine features and hair adorned with a crown of flowers, is also winged, which is a rather unusual iconography for the goddess of flowers and spring.
The gilded bronze decoration is sumptuous, very refined and delicate. This combination of marble and gilded bronze is characteristic of the Napoleon III’s period that had a particularly pronounced taste for ostentation and luxury; therein, gilt bronze is one of the preferred materials.

The Salon doré, main office of the french Presidents of the Fifth Republic

General De Gaulle, elected president in 1959, is the first to choose the Salon doré as his main office, beginning a tradition that will continue throughout the Fifth Republic till today. The President’s desk, an exceptional piece of furniture made by cabinetmaker Charles Cressent around 1740, is placed in front of the fireplace and this is how this one became the fireplace the most photographed and filmed on the 20th century in France!