LATE 18TH CENTURY

Details

A PAIR OF LATE LOUIS XVI ORMOLU AND CARRARA MARBLE THREE-BRANCH CANDELABRA
LATE 18TH CENTURY
Each with a classically draped female figure holding aloft a cornucopia issuing three candle-branches and a central berried and floral vine, on cylindrical base with ribbon-tied vines and square plinth, later fitted for electricity
31 1/2 in. (80 cm.) high, excluding fitments

Provenance

The Carraro Rizzoli Collection; sold Christie’s, London, 14 December 2006, lot 24 (£33,600).

Special notice

Following the auction, this lot will be stored at Crozier Park Royal and will be available for collection from 12.00pm on the second business day after the sale. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Crozier Park Royal. All collections from Crozier Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 I Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Adrian Hume-Sayer Director, Specialist

Lot Essay

The basic design of the draped nymph on these candelabra recalls the drawing from 1761 by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin (see H.Ottomeyer, P.Proschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. I, p. 254, fig. 4.7.1). The design depicts two pairs of plaster models of figures supporting candelabra which were exhibited at the Salon du Louvre in 1761 by Etienne-Maurice Falconet (1716-1791), Director of the Sculpture studio at Sèvres (1759-1766). A number of similar examples follow Falconet's design, such as the three-light lily candelabra supported by draped nymphs which are conserved in the Royal Castle in Warsaw (SZM 407/3-4) (ibid., p. 254, fig. 4.7.3).

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