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Lot Essay
These elegant and unusual candelabra are visible in the Grand Salon of the residence in Neuilly of Georges Litman, whose interiors were designed by the celebrated Parisian society decorator Georges Geffroy (1903-1971). Geffroy's many fashionable commissions included the interiors for the Hôtel Lambert for Baron Alexis de Rédé in 1948 and also the renowned Parisian apartment of Loel and Gloria Guinness, later owned by Nelia Barletta de Cates at 18 Avenue Matignon. An avid collector of French furniture himself, Geffroy's personal collection contained pieces by Jacob, Weisweiler and Riesener, and other top makers.
When sold anonymously from Georges Litman’s collection in 1964, the provenance of ‘Prince Joachim Murat’ was given for these candelabra. While unlikely to have been supplied to the Ist Prince Murat (also known as Joachim-Napoléon Bonaparte), celebrated maréchal under Napoleon (1767-1815) and later King of Naples, several of his descendants as Prince Murat were also named Joachim. It is possible they were included in sales in Paris from the family collection in 1902 and 1961.
When sold anonymously from Georges Litman’s collection in 1964, the provenance of ‘Prince Joachim Murat’ was given for these candelabra. While unlikely to have been supplied to the Ist Prince Murat (also known as Joachim-Napoléon Bonaparte), celebrated maréchal under Napoleon (1767-1815) and later King of Naples, several of his descendants as Prince Murat were also named Joachim. It is possible they were included in sales in Paris from the family collection in 1902 and 1961.