EARLY 19TH CENTURY

These candlesticks are part of a relatively unknown group of decorative objects, which is traditionally associated with Moscow bronze work (I. Sychev, The Russian Chandeliers 1760-1830, Moscow, 2003, pp. 189-192, figs. 968-969). They are illustrated in K.A. Solovlev, Russian Decorative Arts of the 18th and 19th Centuries, Moscow, 1950, plate 145. The same model, executed in ormolu and patinated bronze, was sold anonymously at Christie's, London, 9 December 2004, lot 88. This model is on view at Arkhangelskoye near Moscow, in the Prince's Study or Third Corner Room, which was decorated between 1810 and 1820 with a suite of ormolu-mounted Karelian birch furniture (V. Rapoport, Arkhangelskoye, Leningrad, 1984, fig. 49).