Lot Essay
The design of these candelabra can be attributed to Claude-François Rabiat (d. 1815), whose stamp appears on several examples. Rabiat was apprenticed to Etienne Vignerelle in 1769, but only fully established his own workshop at the turn of the century and during the Empire. He worked for a number of accomplished bronziers and horlogers including Thomire, Gale and Feuchère, providing them with a variety of candelabra and clocks.
An identical pair of candelabra was sold anonymously at Christie's New York, 23 October 1991, lot 73, and a further model is illustrated in D. Ledous-Lebard, 'Rabiat', L'Estampille/L'Objet d'Art, April 1991, p. 91.
An identical pair of candelabra was sold anonymously at Christie's New York, 23 October 1991, lot 73, and a further model is illustrated in D. Ledous-Lebard, 'Rabiat', L'Estampille/L'Objet d'Art, April 1991, p. 91.