A Pair Of French Empire Patinated Bronze And Marble Candelabra

A Large Pair of Empire Patinated Bronze and Marble Candelabra

Each candelabra features a classical winged Victory figure holding stylised oil lamp candleholder with gadrooned nozzles. The winged figure wears a flowing dress with finely detailed, crisp lines and stands atop a gilt bronze orb adorned with leaf decoration, which is mounted on a cylindrical rouge marble pedestal. The pedestal is embellished with gilt bronze mounts of female masks and floral garlands, edged with delicate foliage. The whole supported on a square marble plinth base.

These striking candelabra are closely related to two designs by the architects Charles Percier and Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine, created as part of a commission to furnish Empress Josephine’s bedroom at the Château de Saint-Cloud. The motif of the winged Victory figure holding candle branches is frequently associated with Pierre-Philippe Thomire, though it was also produced by Claude Galle. Both artisans worked extensively with Percier and Fontaine throughout their careers.

A pair of candelabra of this model, originally supplied to the Château d’Eu, was sold from the estate of the late Mrs. Susan Remington-Hobbs—daughter of Lady Baillie of Lowndes House and Leeds Castle—at Christie’s, London, 13 December 2001, lot 488, where it realised over £30,000. Due to the enduring popularity of the design, reproductions were made in the late 19th century. One such pair, featuring identical Victory figures and oil lamps but mounted on square bases, was sold from the collection of Gianni Versace at Villa Fontanelle, Moltrasio, Sotheby’s, London, 18 March 2009, lot 298.