CIRCA 1785, POSSIBLY RETAILED BY DOMINIQUE DAGUERRE

A drawing for candelabra from the catalogue of the marchand-mercier Dominique Daguerre from circa 1785 of a classically draped maiden supporter holding a cornucopia is often cited as the source for related pieces (see H. Ottomeyer, P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. I, p. 283, fig. 4.14.4). Differences in drapery and pose of the figures, as well as the form of the candlearms, demonstrate the long-lived popularity and diversity the design enjoyed through the late 18th and 19th centuries. A set of four related candelabra in the Wallace Collection have been attributed in part to the ciseleur-doreur François Rémond and possibly retailed by Daguerre (P. Hughes, The Wallace Collection Catalogue of Furniture, London, 1996, vol. III, cat. no. 251, pp. 1271-1276), while another similar pair attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire were sold Christie's, New York, 27 May 1999, lot 352 ($123,500).