CIRCA 1810. THE PORPHYRY ÄLVDALEN (ELFDAL)

With their classical maidens each holding aloft a nozzle, these candlesticks are closely related to a pair illustrated in 'Porphyre - la Pierre Royale', exh. cat. Paris, 1990, p.23. Figures of maidens in various positions were frequently used as the middle section of Swedish ormolu and porphyry candlesticks and candelabra and possibly derive from French models such as those designed by Jean-Demosthene Dugourc (1747-1812) and those executed by François Rémond (1751-1843) and Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1749-1825) (H. Ottomeyer P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, figs. 4.18.6-7). French ornamental bronzes were imported to Sweden thoughout the second half of the 18th Century and in the Swedish Royal collections there are various French candelabra with maiden and caryatids, which may have inspired Stockholm bronziers such as Fredrik Ludvig Rung and Carl Ludvig Mangeot.