Lot 237
237
A PAIR OF EMPIRE ORMOLU EIGHT-LIGHT CANDELABRA, each with a drap ed female Egyptian-style caryatid holding in one hand a wreath, in the other a two-tiered candelabrum, the drum-shaped stem issuing a coro net of lotus leaves below a further spray of carved palm leaves, the first tier issuing four candlebranches of Egyptian winged serpents, the second tier of three candlebranches formed from owl-headed corn ucopiae, supporting on top a further candleholder, below a rect angular marble verde antico plinth with starred frieze above bas- reliefs of Mars and of Venus, flanked by two female figures knee ling on a further foliate-bordered plinth and foliated disc feet

Details
A PAIR OF EMPIRE ORMOLU EIGHT-LIGHT CANDELABRA, each with a drap ed female Egyptian-style caryatid holding in one hand a wreath, in the other a two-tiered candelabrum, the drum-shaped stem issuing a coro net of lotus leaves below a further spray of carved palm leaves, the first tier issuing four candlebranches of Egyptian winged serpents, the second tier of three candlebranches formed from owl-headed corn ucopiae, supporting on top a further candleholder, below a rect angular marble verde antico plinth with starred frieze above bas- reliefs of Mars and of Venus, flanked by two female figures knee ling on a further foliate-bordered plinth and foliated disc feet
41.1 /4in. (104cm.) high; 10½in. (26.5cm.) wide (2)

Lot Essay

These candelabra were designed in the early 19th century in the 'antique' or 'Egyptian' manner with the central figure as the wreath-bearing priestess of Isis. Candelabra of this pattern, but lacking the kneeling figures and starred frieze, were commissioned in 1807 for the Empress Josephine's apartments at the Château de Fontainebleau and supplied by Claude Galle, Maitre in 1786 (see: J-P Samoyault, Pendules et bronzes d'ameublement entres sous le Premier Empire, Paris, 1989, p.157)
A pair of candelabra of this pattern were sold anonymously at Sotheby's New York, 1 December 1991, lot 20; and a pair after the Fontainbleau model, but with related sphere-footed plinths was sold anonymously at Christie's New York, 26 October 1994, lot 23

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