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Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843)
Important pair of empire period finely chased and mercury-gilt bronze candelabra
Paris, circa 1810–1815
After a model by Henri-Victor Roguier
An important and rare pair of Empire period candelabra in finely chased and mercury-gilt bronze, illustrating the remarkable virtuosity and craftsmanship of the celebrated Parisian bronzier Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843), regarded as one of the greatest French bronze makers of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Each candelabrum displays a remarkable sculptural composition featuring three female figures draped in classical attire, harmoniously arranged around a central stem and resting upon a richly decorated circular pedestal adorned with three winged putti connected by elegant garlands.
The female figures support a delicate basket of fruit, contributing to the balance and elegance of the sculptural composition.
One of the most fascinating features of this model lies in its ingenious transformation mechanism: the fruit baskets are removable and, once detached, allow candleholders to be fitted, transforming these decorative compositions into functional candelabra.
This dual decorative and practical function demonstrates the ingenuity of Thomire’s workshops and their remarkable ability to combine sculptural elegance with technical perfection.
One of the two candelabra bears the signature “THOMIRE À PARIS”.
This particularly rare model represents a remarkable demonstration of Pierre-Philippe Thomire’s craftsmanship, whose creations were highly sought after by the most prestigious European royal and princely courts.
The quality of the chasing is remarkable, displaying a delicacy worthy of the finest goldsmith’s work. Every detail, from the delicately modelled faces to the flowing draperies of the female figures, the vegetal ornaments and the small winged putti, reveals extraordinary precision and artistic mastery.
The original mercury gilding, which has retained its freshness and brilliance, contributes considerably to the beauty of these two candelabra. Its luminous tones beautifully enhance the depth of the chasing and the richness of the sculptural reliefs.
The preservation of this original gilding represents a particularly valuable quality today, as it has become increasingly rare to encounter bronzes of this period retaining such fine surfaces and such harmonious overall appearance.
These two candelabra therefore transcend their original function as lighting objects to become true precious works of art, reflecting the refinement and excellence of the great Parisian bronze workshops during the First French Empire.
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES
The model is documented in the celebrated reference publication Vergoldete Bronzen, Volume II, pages 382–383, under references 5.16.2 and 5.16.3.
A comparable model is also recorded in the historic collections of the House of Wittelsbach in Munich, reflecting the prestige enjoyed by this composition among Europe’s great princely families.
Among the photographs accompanying this pair, we also present a reproduction of the illustration published in Vergoldete Bronzen, depicting a model identical to our candelabra.
This important bibliographical reference places this creation among the documented achievements of the leading Parisian gilt-bronze workshops of the early 19th century.
A RARE COMBINATION OF DISTINGUISHED QUALITIES
The combination of such qualities — the rarity of the model, the elegance of the composition, the finesse of the chasing, the signature of the master bronzier, and the remarkable preservation of the original mercury gilding — gives this pair particular significance.
These are precisely the objects we seek: works of art in which everything comes together — history, rarity, authenticity, beauty of execution, and a state of preservation that still allows us today to fully appreciate the craftsmanship of the master bronzier.
Encountering a pair combining all these qualities remains a particularly rare opportunity for collectors and connoisseurs of fine French gilt bronzes from the early 19th century.
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DETAILS
Period: First French Empire, circa 1810–1815
Origin: Paris, France
Bronzier: Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843)
Model: After Henri-Victor Roguier
Material: Finely chased and mercury-gilt bronze
Signature: “THOMIRE À PARIS”, present on one of the two candelabra
Height: 49 cm each
Bibliography: Vergoldete Bronzen, Volume II, pages 382–383, references 5.16.2 and 5.16.3
Provenance: Former European private collection.
