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Lot Essay
These magnificent torchères, designed in the revivalist-style which dominated nineteenth-century decorative arts represent the apogee of the Beaux Arts style and would have been a key focal point in the palatial décor in the interior for which they were originally intended. In order to cast such a sculptural work of this scale, detail, quality, these torchères could have only been undertaken by a leading fonderie and at great cost. Modelled as winged putti supporting shields, they stand on rocaille bases and support floral branch candle arms alluding to popular Louis XV motifs. The central escutcheons the putti prominently display would have certainly contained heraldic designs of those who initially commissioned them, signalling the family’s importance. Indeed, candelabras like the present pair were fully integrated into the of their 19th century surroundings, standing at the entrance to grand salons, in great halls or at the base of monumental staircases. In L'Éducation sentimentale (1869), the great 19th century French novelist Gustave Flaubert described the extravagance that such brilliant lighting fixtures evoked, 'Les grandes torchères, comme des bouquets de feu, s'epanouissaient sur les tentures; elles se répétaient dans les glasses'.
Indeed a close comparison can be made between the present lot and the torchères which graced the most magnificent nineteenth-century interiors including those supplied by Maison Barbedienne for the Grand Salon of Napoleon III’s apartments at the Louvre which are similar decorated with floral garlands, serpentine tripartite bases, and centrally displayed cartouches (inv. OA11460), and a suite of torchères which adorn the ground floor of Cornelius Vanderbilt II’s Newport, Rhode Island home, The Breakers, modelled as winged seated putti similarly holding aloft scrolling candlearms and raised on a tripartite base adorned with Louis XIV and Louis XV motifs (see pair of the model sold Christie’s, New York, 26 October 2004, lot 322 for $71,700, including premium).
Indeed a close comparison can be made between the present lot and the torchères which graced the most magnificent nineteenth-century interiors including those supplied by Maison Barbedienne for the Grand Salon of Napoleon III’s apartments at the Louvre which are similar decorated with floral garlands, serpentine tripartite bases, and centrally displayed cartouches (inv. OA11460), and a suite of torchères which adorn the ground floor of Cornelius Vanderbilt II’s Newport, Rhode Island home, The Breakers, modelled as winged seated putti similarly holding aloft scrolling candlearms and raised on a tripartite base adorned with Louis XIV and Louis XV motifs (see pair of the model sold Christie’s, New York, 26 October 2004, lot 322 for $71,700, including premium).