Baccarat - Wall sconce (2) - Gilt bronze - Elkington & Co.

Rare Pair of Two-Light Wall Sconces in Golden Bronze – Elkington & Co. and Baccarat Crystal, Mid-19th Century 1848-1850
Extraordinary and rare pair of two-arm wall sconces, dating to the mid-19th century (Victorian / Napoleon III era). This set represents an excellent and well-documented international collaboration between the prestigious English metallurgy firm Elkington & Co. and the legendary French crystal Baccarat. Structure, Casting and Support: The light arms, of spectacular visual impact, are made in refined gilded bronze. The casting features masterful chasing and finely hand-worked details. The metal framework bears the original Birmingham-based Elkington & Co. hallmarks, including the numerical serial code "8" inside a diamond shape that confirms its manufacture around the years 1848-1850. The arms are magnificently anchored on original wall bases in high-density noble wood (ebony/macassar), entirely hand-carved with richly decorative period motifs perfectly preserved. Crystal Components: Each sconce houses two tulip-shaped shade bulbs in fine lead crystal. The tulips feature a complex and spectacular ground-cut work that ensures exceptional light refraction, amplified by the contrast with the gilded bronze and the dark wood background. Essential for authenticity and collectible value: all four glasses bear the original circular factory stamp "Baccarat France", testifying to the utter contemporaneous integrity of the set. Technical Sheet: Mounting manufacture: Elkington & Co. (Birmingham, England) Crystal manufacture: Baccarat (France) Era: About 1848 - 1850 (Mid-19th Century) Configuration: Pair of wall sconces, two light arms per element (total 4 lights) Materials: Gilded bronze, machined Baccarat crystal, heavy carved wood base. Condition: Excellent overall condition, structurally intact. Original gilding well preserved, wood with minor cracks, crystals intact without chips, with legible marks.
The use of gilded bronze instead of common white metal places this pair at the top tier of Elkington’s art lighting production. The presence of the Baccarat mark on each tulip, together with the rarity of the mounting and the exceptional condition of the carved wood, elevates this set to a museum-quality piece, ideal for elite collectors, international galleries, or prestigious auction houses.
Measurements
Height 56 x 36.50 cm
Base 28 x 21.50 x 35 cm