Offered by Franck Baptiste Paris
REQUEST INFORMATION
Pair of three-arm bronze wall sconces, Paris, Louis XVI period
The openwork, interlaced stems are decorated with laurel wreaths, ram's head finials, and interlaced friezes; they terminate in seed-shaped bases. Two candle arms extend from either side of the stem, while a third rises above the ram's head, concealed beneath an acanthus clasp ending in a frieze of coins. The arms are highlighted with acanthus leaves and support gadrooned cups surmounted by fluted candle holders.
Exquisite quality of chasing and original mercury gilding.
Parisian work, Louis XVI period, circa 1775-1780.
Dimensions:
Height: 38 cm; Width: 37 cm; Depth: 24.5 cm
Our opinion: The extreme rarity of our Far Eastern model and the presence of three light arms suggest a rather prestigious commission. The exquisite fineness of the chasing, particularly that of the ram's head protomes, meticulously cold-worked, as well as the breadth and richness of the mercury gilding, attest to the work of a leading bronze craftsman. These characteristics link our pair of wall sconces to pieces produced at the end of Louis XV's reign by the major Parisian workshops specializing in bronze furniture, such as Philippe Caffieri (1714-1774) or Pierre Gouthière (1732-1813).
