Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781-1841) was undoubtably the foremost architecht and designer to the Prussian Court. Schinkel became a student of the French architect David Gilly in 1798 and was entrusted with the completion of all of Gilly's architectural projects after his death in 1800. Through Gilly, Schinkel became well acquainted with Charles Percier and Pierre-François Fontaine's oeuvre Receuil de decorations Intérieurs (Paris 1801) whose architectural renderings and furniture designs were the most influential of the period.
The offered lot is closely related to a design by Schinkel for a number of similar chandeliers excecuted in giltwood and gilt tin made for the Prinz Karl Palais (J. Sievers, Karl Friedrich Schinkel Lebenswerk, Die Möbel, Berlin, 1950, fig. 237/8), the Königliches Schloss in Berlin (see M. Snodin, Karl Friedrich Schinkel, 1982, pl. 73), and the Prinz August Palais (see E. Bartke, Karl Friedrich Schinkel, 1781-1841, 1982, pl. 290).

A related chandelier in the manner of Schinkel from the Collection of Garrick C. Stephenson was sold in these Rooms, 29 October 1993, lot 196. Another similar chandelier attributed to Schinkel is in the Paris trade.