Lot Essay
Egyptian figures have been copied since the Renaissance and the present examples were probably inspired by the Egyptian figures in Piranesi's design for the Caffe Inglese, 1760, published 1769 (see: N. Pevsner, Studies in Art, Architecture and Design, London, 1968, vol. 1, p. 216, pl. 14).
There is a design for a console table by Percier, dated 1802, in the Louvre with an almost identical figure holding lotus flowers in both hands (H. Ottomeyer & P. Pröschel et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. I, p. 336, fig. 5.3.4) On the same page a very similar candelabrum with two tiers of branches instead of the canopic finials and by Pierre-Philippe Thomire, is illustrated. Percier & Fontaine also employed similar seated figures in a design for a secrétaire in their Recueil de Décorations Intérieures, Paris, 1812, pl. XXXII.
Among related pairs of Egyptian candelabra were a pair sold on behalf of Lord Bruce and removed from Broomhall, Fife, in these Rooms, 31 May 1962, lot 79, a pair sold Sotheby's London, 5 July 1985, lot 205 and Sotheby's New York, 9 November 1985, lot 266
There is a design for a console table by Percier, dated 1802, in the Louvre with an almost identical figure holding lotus flowers in both hands (H. Ottomeyer & P. Pröschel et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. I, p. 336, fig. 5.3.4) On the same page a very similar candelabrum with two tiers of branches instead of the canopic finials and by Pierre-Philippe Thomire, is illustrated. Percier & Fontaine also employed similar seated figures in a design for a secrétaire in their Recueil de Décorations Intérieures, Paris, 1812, pl. XXXII.
Among related pairs of Egyptian candelabra were a pair sold on behalf of Lord Bruce and removed from Broomhall, Fife, in these Rooms, 31 May 1962, lot 79, a pair sold Sotheby's London, 5 July 1985, lot 205 and Sotheby's New York, 9 November 1985, lot 266