Important Pair of Louis XVI Candelabra “Aux Femmes” After Model By Falconet
Pair of Louis XVI Candelabra “Aux Femmes” After a Model by Falconet
Important pair of three-light Louis XVI candelabra “aux femmes” after a model by Falconet in chiseled and gilt bronze and white Carrara marble. These candelabra portray two nymphs standing in counter post with wavy hair and wearing a drape. In this drape they are holding roses. Further both women support baskets on their heads composed of flowery bouquets with branches of lilies, forming the sconces. The nymphs are supported by clouds and are standing on a round base on a quadrangular plinths with recessed angles. The bases have a decoration of rows of pearls and stripes.
This model of candelabra, with women clad in the ‘Antique’ manner supporting branches, became immensely popular at the end of the 18th century and exists in many variants, both with paired and single women and in many different poses. The basic design of the draped nymph on these candelabra recalls the 1761 sketch executed by Gabriel de Saint Aubin (H. Ottomeyer, P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. I, p. 254, fig 4.7.1). The sketch 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 from 1759 to 1766.
A similar pair of candelabra, today part of the collections of the Royal Castle in Warsaw, is shown in Ottomeyer / Pröschel.
This pair of Louis XVI candelabra is in a very good condition.
Details of this pair of Louis XVI candelabra
Dimensions: 62 cm high, 22 cm wide, 14 cm deep. Size of the marble base: 14 x 14 cm.
Weight: 13.4 kg (for the pair).
Literature
- H. Ottomeyer, P. Proschel et al., ” Vergoldete Bronzen – Die Bronzearbeiten des Spätbarock und Klassizismus“, Munich, 1986, Vol. I, p. 255.
- An identical pair was sold in auction at Christie’s London, July 2010.
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