Lot 21
21
A PAIR OF EMPIRE-STYLE ORMOLU AND CUT-GLASS EIGHT-LIGHT CHANDELIERS
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A PAIR OF EMPIRE-STYLE ORMOLU AND CUT-GLASS EIGHT-LIGHT CHANDELIERS

SUPPLIED BY PIERRE DELBÉE OF MAISON JANSEN, PARIS, CIRCA 1965

Details
A PAIR OF EMPIRE-STYLE ORMOLU AND CUT-GLASS EIGHT-LIGHT CHANDELIERS
Supplied by Pierre Delbée of Maison Jansen, Paris, circa 1965
Each with a central star-adorned globe issuing eight scrolling arms with winged birds supporting palmet-shaped drip-pans and suspended from cut-glass-inset chains and a palmette-cast corona, fitted for electricity, minor losses
47in. (120cm.) high; 36in. (92cm.) diameter (2)
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

This pair of chandeliers are designed in the early 19th century Egyptian manner, with a golden sun wreathed by five-pointed stars, a popular motif often used by Pierre Delbée, and by a ribbon-band of palm-flowered candle-vases borne by winged and palm-wrapped serpents.
Possible inspiration may have come from thyrsus-finialed Empire chandeliers such as that illustrated in H.Ottomeyer and P.Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, p.359, pl. 5.11.6. A related Empire chandelier, with griffin-supported branches, was sold by Lady Baillie, Sotheby's London, 13 December 1974, lot 116. Interestingly, Leeds Castle, Kent, home to Lady Baillie, was redecorated by Stéphane Boudin of Maison Jansen in the 1950s.

See also lots 13 and 22.

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