Filippo Caffieri (1634–1716), known as Philippe Caffieri, was an Italian decorative sculptor, active mainly in France. He was born in Rome to an aristocratic family originally from Naples. After briefly serving

Pope Alexander VII Pope Alexander VII ( it, Alessandro VII; 13 February 159922 May 1667), born Fabio Chigi, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 7 April 1655 to his death in May 1667. He began his career as a vice- papal legate, an ...

, was brought to France by Cardinal Mazarin and entered the service of Louis XIV in 1660. He installed him in the same building as the

Gobelins Manufactory The Gobelins Manufactory () is a historic tapestry factory in Paris, France. It is located at 42 avenue des Gobelins, near Les Gobelins métro station in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. It was originally established on the site as a medieval ...

, engaged in decorative, design, and engineering work for the French crown. He married the sister of the king's painter, Charles Le Brun. He was the first in a family of sculptors, his sons and descendants would form the prolific Caffieri family of sculptors active mainly for the French court.

Children

*François-Charles Philippe Caffieri (Francesco Carlo Caffieri) (1667–1721), eldest son, associated with his father's work and sculptor for ships * Jacques, fifth son with disability

Sources

* 1634 births 1716 deaths 17th-century French sculptors French male sculptors 18th-century French sculptors 17th-century Italian sculptors Italian male sculptors 18th-century Italian sculptors Italian emigrants to France 18th-century French male artists 18th-century Italian male artists {{France-sculptor-stub