ATTRIBUTED TO PAUL SORMANI, PARIS, LATE 19TH CENTURY

The opposing winged female figures are after those used by the famed 18th century bronzier François Rémond on a pair of chenets (illustrated H. Ottomeyer, P. Pröschel et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. I, p. 279, fig. 4.12.4). In the 19th century, the figures were adopted on a pair of candelabra by Alfred Beurdeley. This coiffeuse is attributed to Sormani on the basis of the fine cabinetwork and the existence of an identical example signed by Sormani, sold Christie’s, London, 19 March 2008, lot 181 (£10,000).