Paire de candélabres fin XVIIIe siècle - Candelabrum (2) - Gilt bronze

Pair of large candelabra in the Athenian style, in chased gilt bronze, Directoire period. Pedestals in the shape of an Athenian tripod with mermaid protomes, each ending in a ram’s hind leg. In number of three, these female Tritons hold the cassolette decorated with a garland of oak leaves around its circumference and crowned with a removable lid adorned with a pine cone. This hosts the three light arms simulating hunting horns, whose ends each support a chased bobèche with long leaf-work.

These rare Athenian-style candlesticks are to be compared with models by Pierre Gouthière or Pierre-Philippe Thomire.

Several similar examples appear in the reference book Vergoldete Bronzen, pages 264 to 271.

Good state of preservation.
Original mercury gilding, normal wear, not cleaned.

Late 18th century, between 1790 and 1800.

A similar pair was offered for sale at Sotheby’s Paris, on 19 November 2020, lot 111.