Wall sconce (2) - Alloy - Louis XVI Bacchus

Candle holder or wall lamp sconce, electrified, height 27 cm, width 24 cm, and depth 14 cm

These magnificent pieces are a pair of two-branch wall sconces in the Louis XVI style (or Napoléon III era, in the “Empress” style that revisited the eighteenth century).
Here is a detailed analysis of their composition, style, and decorative elements that comprise them:
Stylistic and Iconographic Analysis
These sconces are perfect examples of French Neoclassicism from the second half of the eighteenth century, characterized by a return to Antiquity, symmetry, and geometric rigor.
The Central Mascaron (Bacchus / Faun): At the heart of the wall plate sits a bearded face surrounded by grape leaves or ivy. It is a classic representation of Bacchus (Dionysus) or a faun, a motif highly favored in the Louis XVI period for its association with nature and festivity.
The Ribbon Knot: The top of each sconce is crowned with a relief ribbon knot, typical of Louis XVI ornamentation (often associated with Marie-Antoinette motifs). This knot usually conceals the wall fixation point.
The Fluted Shaft: The lower portion (the central body) takes the form of a fluted shaft tapering downward, adorned with vertical channels, reminiscent of Greek and Roman temple architecture.
Pearl Garlands (or imposts): On either side of the central shaft, there are draped pearl garlands that add a touch of softness to the otherwise very geometric structure.