Les chiens devant le feu - une paire de chenets aux lévriers, bronze doré, circa 1774-1792

 

These exquisite chenets - quite literally "fire dogs" - were formerly in the collection of French fashion designer Marie-Louise Carven; she donated the pair to the Louvre in 1973.

Detached from their bases, it's even easier to appreciate the sensitive modeling of the two dogs.

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I can't think why the pair was photographed above facing away from each other, when this seems the only correct orientation!