A FRENCH ORMOLU SIX-LIGHT CHANDELIER

The present chandelier is based on an 18th century model dated to circa 1780, today in the collections of the Château de Versailles, and illustrated in H. Ottomeyer, P. Pröschel et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. I, p. 238, fig. 4.4.1. Though the Louis XVI model remains unattributed, its classically inspired central stem, carefully chased cherubs and scrolling foliate arms evoke the work of the finest bronziers of the last quarter of the 18th century, including Pierre Gouthière. The enduring popularity of this chandelier gave rise to high-quality reproductions in the 19th century including examples by leading makers such as Raingo Frères as well as Henry Dasson and Alfred Beurdeley.