CAST BY FERDINAND BARBEDIENNE FROM THE MODEL BY EMILE-CORIOLAN HIPPOLYTE GUILLEMIN, CIRCA 1890

Emile Guillemin (d. 1907) debuted at the Salon in 1870, when he exhibited a pair of Roman gladiators, entitled Rétaire and Mirmillon. However, like his contemporary Charles Cordier, he is best-known for Orientalist works, inspired by the Middle East and its exoticism. The present figures, though a departure those works for which Guillemin is renowned, are no less exotic or refined in their painstakingly detailed and jewel-like decoration. The largest (150 cm.) of three available sizes, each figure wears a bejewelled diadem in their intricately plaited hair and draped robes held by a repoussé breastplate cast with arabeseques. They number alongside two other models of candélabres by Guillemin; 'Deux Femmes: Indienne et Persane' and 'Deux Femmes Japonaises' which are illustrated in Barbedienne's 1886 catalogue. Another pair of this largest scale sold Christie's, New York, 21 October 2015, lot 126.