A PAIR OF RESTAURATION ORMOLU FIVE-LIGHT CANDELABRA

CIRCA 1820, ATTRIBUTED TO GÉRARD-JEAN GALLE

Details

A PAIR OF RESTAURATION ORMOLU FIVE-LIGHT CANDELABRA
Circa 1820, attributed to Gérard-Jean Galle
Each with an armour-clad figure of Odysseus and Telemachus, against a martial trophy of spears and axes, the fasce-bound stem surmounted by crossed flags and issuing J-form candlearms, over a stepped square plinth base centered by a military trophy, drilled for electricity with consequential minor replacements to central stem, the figure of Telemachus lacking the plume to his helmet and with replaced spear
30¾in. (78cm.) high (2)

Lot Essay

These candelabra, celebrating the triumphs of Odysseus and his son Telemachus from Homer's Odyssey, can be confidently attributed to the bronzier Gérard-Jean Galle (1788-1846). A closely related pair of candelabra, forming the flanking elements of a clock-garniture, were ordered for the King of Sweden in Paris in 1820 at a cost of 2200 francs. Delivered by 1823 to the Royal Palace in Stockholm, they remain there to this day (illustrated in H. Ottomeyer, P. Proöschel et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, 5.18.9, p.396).

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