Lot Essay
Designed in the Louis XV 'pittoresque' style popularised by Juste-Auréle Meissonier and Nicolas Pineau, these wall-lights are inspired by models initially designed by Charles Cressent. Similar wall-lights were subsequently supplied by the sculpteur, fondeur et ciseleur du roi Jacques Caffiéri (1678-1755). In the Inventory drawn up following his death in 1755, no.43 is described as un autre model double de bras de chemine ancien perroquets à deux branches, and this model was already listed in an earlier inventory of his stock in 1747.
Two related pairs of parrot wall-lights were supplied to Madame Infante, Louise-Elizabeth of France, duchesse de Parma for the Palazzo di Colorno (A. Gonzalez-Palacios, Gli Arredi Francesi, Milan, 1995, no. 52, p.243).
Another set of four wall-lights, dating like the present set to the late 19th century, sold Sotheby's, New York, 3 October 2008, lot 99 ($21,250).
Two related pairs of parrot wall-lights were supplied to Madame Infante, Louise-Elizabeth of France, duchesse de Parma for the Palazzo di Colorno (A. Gonzalez-Palacios, Gli Arredi Francesi, Milan, 1995, no. 52, p.243).
Another set of four wall-lights, dating like the present set to the late 19th century, sold Sotheby's, New York, 3 October 2008, lot 99 ($21,250).