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Lot Essay
These candelabra can be irrefutably attributed to Edouard Lièvre by analysing details which follow an established pattern used by the designer: the elephant-head feet (see Connaissance des Arts, No. 228, Edouard Lièvre, Paris, 2004, illustrations pp. 28, 31 and 34); the stylised climbing dragon (op. cit., illustration p. 20); the very similar Japonisant nozzles and pendants (op. cit., illustration p. 34)
Edouard Lièvre (1828-1886) trained as a painter under Thomas Couture, before turning his attention to industrial design. His earliest important work was the vase persan designed for Christofle in 1874 and exhibited at the Paris Exposition universelle in 1878, 1889 and 1900. Among Lièvre's important clients were actress Sarah Bernhardt, courtesan Louise-Emilie Valtesse de la Bigne, and Albert Vieillard, director of Bordeaux's ceramics factory and an early Japonisme enthusiast. Following Lièvre's death, his designs were sold to Georges and Henri Pannier, owners of the elegant shop, L'Escalier de Cristal.
A similar pair of ormolu and cloisonné enamel candelabra, also designed by Edouard Lièvre and manufactured by Ferdinand Barbedienne, sold in these rooms, 24 February 2005, lot 56 (£28,800).
Edouard Lièvre (1828-1886) trained as a painter under Thomas Couture, before turning his attention to industrial design. His earliest important work was the vase persan designed for Christofle in 1874 and exhibited at the Paris Exposition universelle in 1878, 1889 and 1900. Among Lièvre's important clients were actress Sarah Bernhardt, courtesan Louise-Emilie Valtesse de la Bigne, and Albert Vieillard, director of Bordeaux's ceramics factory and an early Japonisme enthusiast. Following Lièvre's death, his designs were sold to Georges and Henri Pannier, owners of the elegant shop, L'Escalier de Cristal.
A similar pair of ormolu and cloisonné enamel candelabra, also designed by Edouard Lièvre and manufactured by Ferdinand Barbedienne, sold in these rooms, 24 February 2005, lot 56 (£28,800).