Designed in the 'antique' style popularised by Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine's Recueil des Décorations Intérieures of 1801, this chandelier, with its dancing nymph, vine-wrapped thyrsae and panther-mask candle-branches, celebrates Bacchus, God of Hospitality. No doubt conceived for a Dining room or room of entertainment, the chandelier's panther-mask supported candelabra ring can also be seen on wall-lights supplied by Claude Galle on 31 July 1810 for the Petit Trianon at Versailles (D. Ledoux-Lebard, Versailles Le Petit Trianon, Paris, 1989, p.122, fig.1301), as well as on those supplied by Thomire Duterme et cie. in 1810 for the Palais de Fontainebleau, which are signed by the bronzier Rabiat on the reverse (J.P. Samoyault, Pendules et Bronzes d'ameublement entrés sous le Ier Empire, Paris, 1989, vol.I, pp.145 and 149).

Interestingly this design of lion-mask candelabra arm enjoyed endurance as a model, as is suggested by the watercoour design by Choiselat-Gallien of circa 1820 exhibited in 'Designs for Gilt Bronze Objects from the French Restoration 1814-1830', Exhibition Catalogue, Charles Plante Fine Arts, London, 2002, no.15.