A PAIR OF LOUIS XIV LACQUERED-BRASS, CUT-GLASS AND ROCK CRYSTAL SIX-LIGHT CANDELABRA
This lot has no reserve.
A PAIR OF LOUIS XIV LACQUERED-BRASS, CUT-GLASS AND ROCK CRYSTAL SIX-LIGHT CANDELABRA

CIRCA 1680-90

Details
A PAIR OF LOUIS XIV LACQUERED-BRASS, CUT-GLASS AND ROCK CRYSTAL SIX-LIGHT CANDELABRA
Circa 1680-90
Each headed by a facetted finial on a beaded stem issuing six beaded arms on six levels terminating in flowerheads, each with twelve petals and hung with beaded swags, above six scrolled arms each supporting a turned finial and circular drip-pan hung with drops, the turned, vase-shaped stem on stepped circular base, replacements to crystal
24¾in. (63cm.) high, 14in. (35.5cm.) wide (2)
Provenance
Probably those sold anonymously at hôtel Drouot, Paris, 30 March 1987, lot 100 (a set of four).
Acquired from Alexander & Berendt, Ltd., London by Wendell Cherry.
The late Wendell Cherry, sold Sotheby's New York, 21 May 1992, lot 41 ($55,000).
Special notice
This lot has no reserve.

Lot Essay

This type of 'Italien girandola' first appeared in the collection of Louis XIV around 1660. On 26 February 1691, the garde-meuble de la Couronne recorded:-

Apporté de l'hôtel Colbert ceans (ici), quarantes girandoles de cristal à 6 branches et 6 bobèches et au haut une septième bobèche qui termine que le Roy a fait acheter à l'inventaire des meubles de feu monsieur le marquis de Seignelay,.... le Roy en a donné douze à S.A.R. Monsieur frère unique de sa Majesté, lesquelles douze girandoles j'ay aujoudhuy...delivré.

The twenty-eight remaining girandoles were then sent to by Sr de la Roue, miroitier pour y mettre des lassis (lacets) de grains de cristal, une verge de fer à la tige attendu qu'il ny en avait point et une fleur de lis cuivre doré au haut à la place de la 7ème bobèche...

Following this modification, they were placed in the Royal appartements at the château de Versailles.

This description corresponds exactly with the two pairs offered in the collection (see also lot 36), save for the fleur-de-lis finial.

In the 18th Century, several pairs with three branches are listed with the duc de Bouillon, whilst others of six branches, standing on silvered-copper bases, were offered in the sale of the dealer and collector Vincent Donjeux in 1793.
A closely related pair of girandoles is now in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles (Acc. no. 85.DF.382.1-.2.)

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