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Lot Essay
The bronze candelabra with marble pedestals and ormolu enrichments are conceived in the 'Roman' manner popularised by C. Percier and P.F.L.Fontaine's, Recueil de Decorations Interieures, 1801. Celebrating the sun-deity Apollo and the Element of Fire, urn-bearing 'nike' or 'Victoires' perch on celestial sphere-capped 'altar' pillars that are guarded by Apollo's sacred griffin. Bas-reliefs evoking Abundance enrich their stepped and palm-wrapped pedestals; and comprise emblematical tablets of Night and Day with Cupid-attended females accompanied by the deity's mask and Ceres' laurel-wreathed cornucopiae. One such triumphal winged figure featured in an engraving emblematical of the Cardinal Arts in Percier's 'Recueil'; while griffin appear with 'victoires' in an engraving for a chandelier (Percier ibid. pl. XII).
Their fine quality relates in particular to the work of the celebrated Parisian bronzier-ciseleur Pierre-Philippe Thomire (d. 1843) (see H.Ottomeyer and P. Proschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, 1986, p. 328, fig. 5.2.2.)
Another pair of these candelabra, with different urns, was sold by the late Edward Medlicott, Esq., from Sacombe Park, Christie's house sale, 11 October 1993, lot 24 (£41,100 inc. premium). The same patterned figures and urns featured on related candelabra sold Christie's New York, 21st March 1996, lot 18.
Their fine quality relates in particular to the work of the celebrated Parisian bronzier-ciseleur Pierre-Philippe Thomire (d. 1843) (see H.Ottomeyer and P. Proschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, 1986, p. 328, fig. 5.2.2.)
Another pair of these candelabra, with different urns, was sold by the late Edward Medlicott, Esq., from Sacombe Park, Christie's house sale, 11 October 1993, lot 24 (£41,100 inc. premium). The same patterned figures and urns featured on related candelabra sold Christie's New York, 21st March 1996, lot 18.