Candleholder (2) - Patinated bronze - Empire candlesticks

This pair of patinated-bronze candelabras is a characteristic example of the French Empire style that developed at the beginning of the 19th century during Napoleon's reign. The sphinx, a mythological creature with the strength of a lion and the wisdom of a human, was one of the most beloved motifs of this period. This fascination was sparked by the French military campaign in Egypt, which led to the so-called Retour d’Egypte movement in European decorative arts.

The candelabras are made in the classical tradition, with the sphinxes rendered with outstretched wings and a female torso. They bear a candle holder in the shape of an antique capital, decorated with stylized palm or acanthus leaves. The figures rest on pedestals of black marble, a material that in the 19th century was frequently used to heighten the contrast with the dark bronze and to give the pieces a monumental appearance.

Although the design harkens back to the early 19th century, such high-quality castings remained very popular for the rest of the century and enjoyed a revival during the Second Empire (1852-1870).