Pair of monumental candelabra, with five flames of Louis XVI

Paris, late 18th century

Chiseled and gilded bronze, statutory white marble

Measurements: height 81 cm, width 45 cm, depth 32 cm.

This pair of sumptuous chandeliers, distinguished by an incredible scenic effect, in Louis XVI style, executed in gilded bronze with a high level workmanship, was designed and created to recreate the shape of overflowing vases of flowering lilies.

The two elegant amphora vases with a slender shape, made of precious white statuary marble, are supported by a golden plinth ending with a circular band with acanthus leaves. From the vases, whose handles are chiselled assuming the shape of ram's heads, a large floral bouquet emerges, consisting of large lily branches, with leaves and buds, ending with five buds that enclose the nozzles to support the candles.

Similar decorative motifs were adopted by some of the best chiselling master bronzers of the Louis XVI period, including François Rémond (Paris 1747-1812), Pierre Gouthière (Bar-sur-Aube, 1732 - Paris, 1813) and Jean-Louis Prieur ( about 1725 - after 1785). Like the branches of lily, a flower that in France has always been an emblem of royalty, the motif of the ram's head was also very popular in the neoclassical style of the late eighteenth century, an animal representative of spring, of the renewal of nature and associated extension to the creative power.

The listing on the art market for works similar to ours, in terms of size, age and executive quality, although difficult to find, are very important. As an example we report a pair of candelabra proposed by Christie’s, and belonged to the art collection of the philanthropist Ogden Mills (1857-1929):

https: //www.christies.com/lotfinder/furniture-lighting/a-pair-of-louis-xvi-ormolu-and-5704156-detail ...

In the volume edited by Hans Ottomeyer and Peter Proschel, "Vergoldete Bronzen", 1986, a pair of candelabra dated 1780 is illustrated, with the same branches adorned with lily motifs in gilded bronze, and supported by a vase in green marble, with handles with ram heads, but with curled horns (Collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London). And yet, in the volume by Pierre Kjellberg "Objets Montés: du Moyen ge à nos jours", 2000, another pair of similar candelabra is illustrated, again with five lily branches, coming out however from a porcelain vase by Sèvres, and with handles always ram's head.

The candelabra are in good condition. Signs of wear, due to the time, and some minor defects, which do not affect the beauty of them in any way. The gilding has been preserved in excellent condition.

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