A PAIR OF LOUIS XV/XVI TRANSITIONAL ORMOLU TWO-BRANCH WALL-LIGHTS (APPLIQUES DE TRUMEAU)

CIRCA 1770

Details

A PAIR OF LOUIS XV/XVI TRANSITIONAL ORMOLU TWO-BRANCH WALL-LIGHTS (APPLIQUES DE TRUMEAU)
Circa 1770
Each with tapering fluted backplate issuing acanthus clasps, surmounted by leaf tip cast stepped pedestal and berried laurel garland-hung vase with Greek-key arms and pineapple finial, the backplate issuing S-scroll fluted and acanthus-wrapped arms, one longer than the other, both fluted flared drip-pans with thumb molded edge below waisted fluted vasiform bobèches, drilled for electricity, rethreaded
17in. (43cm.) high (2)

Lot Essay

The form of these wall-lights is particularly rare, as each has one arm that is longer than the other. They were designed to flank a trumeau mirror, the longer arms therefore reflecting the light. Designed in the Louis XVI gôut grec style of circa 1765-70, these wall-lights are similar in character to the work of the sculpteur et ciseleur ordinaire du Roy Philippe Caffiéri (1714-1774) who is known to have executed a number of pairs of extraordinary wall-lights as part of a large commission for Stanislas-August Poniatowski, King of Poland. These were delivered between 1766 and the early 1770's.

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