Robert-Joseph Auguste

Drawing attributed to Robert-Joseph Auguste.

Robert-Joseph Auguste (1723 – ca1805) was a sculptor and royal goldsmith to Louis XV and Louis XVI of France, whose coronation crown he made. Without a formal apprenticeship, Auguste was enabled to pursue his vocation by royal license, as an artist suivant le cour: he was often commissioned for works by the kings of France. Extensive silver services were delivered over several years for George III of Great Britain, beginning in 1776, and for Catherine II of Russia.

In addition to silver and gold, he modelled work that was cast in bronze and gilded, such as the mounts on a porphyry vase and cover in the Wallace Collection, London.

His son Henri Auguste assumed control of the family workshop in 1784–85.

Further reading

Parker, James; Le Corbeiller, Clare (1979). A Guide to the Wrightsman Galleries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. ISBN 0-87099-186-8. (see index: p. 127-128; illustration: p. 15)

External links

• Robert-Joseph Auguste in American public collections, on the French Sculpture Census website

Rare and Important Louis XVI silver tureen, ROBERT-JOSEPH AUGUSTE, Paris, ca. 1784Of oval shape, foot with frieze, plain body with relief neoclassic frieze, cast and chiselled handles depicting branches of leaves and fruits, cover with framed tab at two relief rosettes, pine cone and acanthus cover finial on relief calyx with leaves and fruits Charge and discharge marks of Paris (1783-1789), “Maison Commune” mark of 1784 and Robert-Joseph Auguste maker’s mark (act. 1757-1793) 19th century liner and stand with similar decoration, Tête de Minerve 1 mark and Debain & Flament maker’s mark (1874-1880) 28 x 38,5 x 23,5 cm 29 x 39,2 x 30,2 cm 2880 g (tureen) 5204 g (total)