Jean Francois Theodore Gechter studied under Bosio and Gros and exhibited at the Salon from 1827 to 1844, becoming a Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur in 1837. He was a friend of Barye and towards the end of his career dabbled in Animalier sculpture, producing statuettes of greyhounds and equestrian subjects. These candleabra would originally have formed part of a clock garniture entitled 'Le combat de Charles Martel et d'Abedrame, roi des Sarrasins which was first presented at the Salon in 1833.