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Lot Essay
These candlesticks are of the same design as the pair by François-Thomas Germain, dated 1753 and offered in this sale under lot 111, which may have formed part of the service commissioned by Empress Elizabeth of Russia (1709-1762).
Although Germain and Balzac were never formally associated in partnership, they collaborated on several major commissions as was common at that time for large order. The most celebrated example is the Penthièvre-Orléans Service, which was begun with pieces supplied by Thomas Germain and later enlarged by his son, and Edme-François Balzac, who contributed fourteen additional pieces to the service between 1757 and 1761.
Although the present candlesticks do not bear the prick-engraved inventory numbers typically associated with Russian services, it is nevertheless conceivable that they were made as additions to an earlier service supplied by François-Thomas Germain, following a model already established in the original commission.
Although Germain and Balzac were never formally associated in partnership, they collaborated on several major commissions as was common at that time for large order. The most celebrated example is the Penthièvre-Orléans Service, which was begun with pieces supplied by Thomas Germain and later enlarged by his son, and Edme-François Balzac, who contributed fourteen additional pieces to the service between 1757 and 1761.
Although the present candlesticks do not bear the prick-engraved inventory numbers typically associated with Russian services, it is nevertheless conceivable that they were made as additions to an earlier service supplied by François-Thomas Germain, following a model already established in the original commission.