Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843) a French sculptor, was the most prominent bronzier, or producer of ornamental patinated and gilt-bronze objects and furniture mounts of the First French Empire.

One of the most remarkable bronze makers of his generation, Thomire is recognized for his production of furniture bronze under the Ancien Régime (Late Middle Ages (c. 1500) until 1789 and the French Revolution). He raised this trade under the Empire to its highest level of quality, while creating an industrial company in the early 19th century whose influence was monumental. 

He had received his training in the workshop of Pierre Gouthière, the outstanding Parisian ciseleur-doreur working in the Louis XVI style, before establishing his own shop in 1776. Thomire’s big break came when he began assisting Jean-Claude-Thomas Duplessis, the artistic director of the Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory, in making mounts.When Duplessis died in 1783, Thomire took over his job, supplying all the gilt bronze mounts for the porcelain. This work kept him in business throughout the French Revolution, when many other producers went bankrupt.In 1809 the Emperor Napoleon made him ciseleur de l’empereur (Engraver to the Emperor).Because of the large number of pieces Thomire supplied to the palaces, his firm became fournisseur de leurs majestés (Furniture Suppliers to their Majesties) two years later.His most prestigious commission was the execution of the cradle for the King of Rome which was designed by Pierre Paul Prud’hon and in which Thomire collaborated with the Imperial silversmith Odiot.
He became one of the bronziers attached to the Manufacture Royale de Sèvres, creating the bronze mounts for most of the important creations of the day.Thomire’s business managed to survive even after Napoleon’s downfall, winning numerous medals at various exhibitions.

More of  Pierre-Philippe Thomire‘s amazing sculptures can be found at www.lapendulerie.com  and cedricdupontantiques.com .