A PAIR OF LOUIS XVI ORMOLU THREE-LIGHT WALL-LIGHTS

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A PAIR OF LOUIS XVI ORMOLU THREE-LIGHT WALL-LIGHTS
Each with mille-raies panelled tapering backplate surmounted by an entrelac-panelled frieze and fluted pedestal supporting a spirally- fluted baluster vase with foliate-cast handles and berried finial, the upspringing acanthus issuing three chanelled scrolled acanthus branches each with domed entrelac and gadrooned foliate drip-pans and fluted urn-shaped nozzles, above a berried boss, re-threaded, the drip-pans possibly later, drilled for electricity
24¼ in. (61.5 cm.) high; 16.1./2 in. (42 cm.) wide; 13½ in. (34 cm.) deep (2)

Lot Essay

Executed in Paris circa 1770 for an as yet unidentified commission, these Neo-classical wall-lights are en suite with those supplied by the marchand-bronzier André Ravrio for the château de Fontainebleau in 1804. Listed on the 18 November of that year as :

'2 paires très grands bras à rouleaux, 3 branches, or moulu 800'

(Archives Nationales, 0 665, d.1,p.7), the price was ultimately reduced to 700 livres. Placed in the salon des grands dignitaires and in the neighbouring salon de l'Impératrice, the set of four were subsequently moved to the salon de la Reine de Hollande and the salon d'angle du Roi in 1807, where they were still recorded in 1810. The latter pair were sent to the palais des Tuileries in 1870 (J.-P. Samoyault, Pendules et bronzes d'ameublement entrés sous le Premier Empire, Paris, 1989, no. 90, p.125).

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