LATE 18TH CENTURY

An identical example to these beautifully-chased candelabra is illustrated in I. Sychev, The Russian Chandeliers, Moscow, 2003, p. 77, fig. 368, where they are described as work from St. Petersburg. However, the design of these candelabra is highly original and symbolic with Cerberus, guardian of the underworld placed beneath the candles, whose light represents the light of the earth. This unexpected theme could suggest a different origin as this design seems unique in ormolu from St. Petersburg. Sychev mentiones that they are similar to Viennese work and indeed the fluted octagonal stems and drip-pans are virtually identical to those on examples in the MAK in Vienna.