Offered by Tobogan Antiques
Signed A. GRANDPIERRE PARIS
Provenance : Castle in Puisaye, France
Spectacular set of four Regence-inspired large wall sconces in finely chased and gilded bronze with five lights. Each is composed at the top of a radiating shell surrounded by laurel and acanthus leaves, set above a ground decorated with beaded trellis motifs centered with rosettes. Beneath the scrolling arms appears a female mascaron modeled in relief, and the composition terminates in a lambrequin motif ending in a cascading foliate drop. The light-arms, highlighted with scrolling foliage, are arranged symmetrically: two lateral arms in double volute form, two intermediate arms set slightly back, and a higher central arm. The bobèches and binets are decorated with gadroons and foliage motifs.
These wall-lights, remarkable for the quality of their chasing, have preserved their original gilding despite the passage of time, thus demonstrating the mastery and craftsmanship of its maker.
The combination of these elements reflects a synthetic aesthetic characteristic of the second half of the 19th century, a period during which Parisian bronze makers excelled in the scholarly reinterpretation of earlier styles.
Biography :
Born into a dynasty of 19th-century Parisian bronze makers—including marble clock case makers operating under the names “Grandpierre et fils” and later “Grandpierre fils,” as well as metal founders—the maker of these sconces, A. Grandpierre, was a bronze manufacturer established at 1, rue Saint-Claude between 1889 and 1894.
