Pair of Candlesticks in Chiseled and Gilded Bronzes - Louis XV Style

Splendid and very rare pair of chiseled and gilded bronze torches, engraved, guilloche, Louis XV style. This Parisian work dates from the first half of the 19th century. The original mercury gilding has matte and shiny finishes as well as guilloché patterns. The dimensions are as follows: height of 26 cm and base diameter of 14.5 cm. The condition is exceptional, with only tiny traces of use.

The carving is very fine and refined, accompanied by remarkable gilding in matte and shiny tones. Permanent movement is visible thanks to ascending and descending elements. The torches are opulent, thick, with a beautiful seat and great presence.

Prestigious provenance: these torches belonged to a 19th century French general, Changarnier (1793-1877). Considered one of the best generals of the second half of the 19th century in France, he left Saint-Cyr in 1815 and participated in the conquest of Algeria from 1830. His audacity and great bravery were recognized and appreciated by his soldiers. A distinguished officer, he earned all his ranks at the point of the sword on various battlefields.

The architecture of the torches presents a superb tripartite bell-shaped base decorated with fine floral engravings on the carnations and a military coat of arms with eagles and crown. The outline is scalloped, stepped, with various projections, large moldings and volutes decorated with acanthus leaves and stapled shells.

The central shaft, in a tripartite baluster shape, is decorated with crooks and acanthus leaves, resting on an open shell, with three stylized gadroons and rich moldings. The top part has a wide vase-shaped bin decorated with flat gadroons and swirling acanthus leaves, as well as bobeches with original hollow basins and a scalloped shape. The various parts are separated by a ring and a shower foot, and the assembly is screwed as in the 18th century.

Far from being symmetrical, these torches reveal an assumed asymmetry, a deliberate choice by the bronze maker and his sponsor, highlighting the originality and creativity of the work. The exceptional quality of the carving, engraving and gilding recalls the influence of Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier, one of the founding fathers of the rocaille style.

Although post-Louis XV, these torches nonetheless remain a timeless masterpiece, an exceptional piece that rivals the greatest creations of the 18th century. Their exceptional state of conservation, with tiny traces of use and age, testifies to their remarkable quality and their precious heritage.

Acquiring this pair of rocaille candlesticks means appropriating a fragment of history, a work of art of rare beauty that will illuminate your interior with eternal light. This is the opportunity to own a unique object, a treasure that will captivate future generations.

Ref: EKA87BIL6C