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Lot Essay
This superb model of basket-bearing maidens is attributed to Louis-Simon Boizot (1743-1809) for François Rémond who supplied a pair of candelabra to Daguerre for the Princess Kinsky in December 1785 (see C. Baulez, 'Le luminaire de la princesse Kimsky', L'Estampille/L'objet d'art, no. 247, May 1991, pp. 84-99 and sold Christie's, Monaco, 15 June 1997, lot 91). Twenty years later in the Empire period Rémond revived the figures calling them 'girandoles chapiteau' although in bronze they were most likely cast by Thomire (C. Baulez, Versailles, deux siècles d'histoire de l'art, Paris, 2007, p. 416). Identical figures were incorporated into a grande pendule portique illustrated in P. Kjellberg, L'Encyclopédie de la Pendule Française, Paris, 1997, p. 331.
An identical pair of candelabra also with rouge griotte marble bases applied with wreaths, is part of the Mobilier national and were recorded in 1817 at the Hôtel de Brienne, now the Ministry of Defence (see M.F. Dupuy-Baylet, Les bronzes du mobilier national 1800-1870 - L'heure, le feu, la lumière, Paris, 2010, no. 40, pp. 90-91). From 1802 the Hôtel de Brienne was refurbished by Lucien Bonaparte, the Emperor's brother, who in 1805 sold it to his mother Maria Letizia Ramolino, Madame Mère (1750-1836). Styled 'Son Altesse Impériale, Madame Mère de l'Empereur', she further aggrandized the Hôtel de Brienne and her riches were such that they attracted the mild disapproval of the Emperor. Another pair, also with wreaths but with vert antique marble bases were sent from Saint Cloud to Fontainebleau in November 1804 and were displayed first in the Papal Apartment, then from 1807 in the Empress' state bedroom and in 1810 in the premier salon (J.P. Samoyault, Pendules et Bronzes d'Ameublement entrés sous le Premier Empire - Fontainebleau, Paris, 1989, p. 155, No. 132).
An identical pair of candelabra also with rouge griotte marble bases applied with wreaths, is part of the Mobilier national and were recorded in 1817 at the Hôtel de Brienne, now the Ministry of Defence (see M.F. Dupuy-Baylet, Les bronzes du mobilier national 1800-1870 - L'heure, le feu, la lumière, Paris, 2010, no. 40, pp. 90-91). From 1802 the Hôtel de Brienne was refurbished by Lucien Bonaparte, the Emperor's brother, who in 1805 sold it to his mother Maria Letizia Ramolino, Madame Mère (1750-1836). Styled 'Son Altesse Impériale, Madame Mère de l'Empereur', she further aggrandized the Hôtel de Brienne and her riches were such that they attracted the mild disapproval of the Emperor. Another pair, also with wreaths but with vert antique marble bases were sent from Saint Cloud to Fontainebleau in November 1804 and were displayed first in the Papal Apartment, then from 1807 in the Empress' state bedroom and in 1810 in the premier salon (J.P. Samoyault, Pendules et Bronzes d'Ameublement entrés sous le Premier Empire - Fontainebleau, Paris, 1989, p. 155, No. 132).