A Pair of French Empire Five-Light Candelabra, Ormolu & Patinated

Each candelabrum is formed as a winged Egyptian herm: a draped female bust with Egyptian headdress rising from a square tapering shaft of black patinated bronze. Four scrolling cornucopia branches support trumpet-shaped bobeches finely chased with mask-heads; a fifth socket crowns the figure's head on a lotus capital. The large feathered wings spread dramatically behind the coiffed head. The shaft is applied to the front with a winged flaming torch in ormolu, flanked by mask medallions to the sides. The pedestal mounts alternate Egyptian heads and lyres against palmette grounds. Each piece rests on a square socle with a bold acanthus leaf band in ormolu.

Paris, circa 1805–1815.

The outstanding quality of the chasing and gilding, together with the rich iconographic programme of the Retour d'Égypte — inspired by Vivant Denon's Voyage dans la Basse et la Haute Égypte (1802) and the design vocabulary of Percier & Fontaine — points to one of the foremost Parisian bronze foundries of the early Imperial period, possibly from the circle of Claude Galle or Pierre-Philippe Thomire.

Dimensions: Height 70 cm | Width 27 cm | Base 15 × 15 cm (each)

Material: Ormolu (mercury-gilt bronze) and patinated bronze

Period: French Empire, Paris, circa 1805–1815

Condition: Very good; gilding bright and fresh; both pieces complete and matching