A impressive pair of ormolu and patinated bronze candelabra circa vers 1820

These magnificent candlesticks represent Summer and Autumn, one of the Four Seasons. A subject that was traditional in Western art since the Renaissance and a much favoured allegorical theme during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Hence Summer is shown as Ceres, the mythological goddess of agriculture who holds her attributes, namely a sheaf of corn and sickle while Autumn, commonly associated with the grape harvest is symbolised by the young Bacchus. He has vine sprays in his hair, a leopard pelt as a scarf, a sickle in one hand and a thyrsus wrapped around with vines in the other, all of which are attributes of the mythological god of wine.

France, Empire period, circa 1820