.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
This superbly executed chandelier can be attributed to Andrei Schreiber, a German bronzier, who came to St. Petersburg in the 1790s. In the St. Petersburg Gazette of 5 October 1809, Schreiber advertised his works, which included 'lustres, lamps for the wall, the table and with shades, candlesticks, candelabra, vases, fireplace items and other bronze articles of furnishing' (I. Sychev, Russian Bronze, Moscow, 2002, p. 94 - 95). Schreiber received various commissions from the Imperial family, which resulted in his appointment as Bronzier de la Cour de S.M.I.. He was one of the principal craftsmen employed for the redecoration of Pavlovsk in 1815 - 1816.
This chandelier relates to the loosely French-inspired example by Andrei Schreiber in the home of F. Ilin, a merchant in St. Petersburg, 1808 (I. Sychev, op. cit., p. 92 ). The basket-form issuing candle branches reflects the creative spirit of bronze-smiths during this period of import restrictions, which prohibited them from learning of the latest European styles. Schreiber later became renowned for his confident independent style based on designs by Russian architects.
Another similiar chandelier is illustrated in I.A. Bartenev, V.N. Batazhkova Russkii Interior 18-19vekov, Leningrad, 1977, p.106.
This chandelier relates to the loosely French-inspired example by Andrei Schreiber in the home of F. Ilin, a merchant in St. Petersburg, 1808 (I. Sychev, op. cit., p. 92 ). The basket-form issuing candle branches reflects the creative spirit of bronze-smiths during this period of import restrictions, which prohibited them from learning of the latest European styles. Schreiber later became renowned for his confident independent style based on designs by Russian architects.
Another similiar chandelier is illustrated in I.A. Bartenev, V.N. Batazhkova Russkii Interior 18-19vekov, Leningrad, 1977, p.106.