A PAIR OF FRENCH ORMOLU THREE-LIGHT WALL-LIGHTS
Lot 717

A PAIR OF FRENCH ORMOLU THREE-LIGHT WALL-LIGHTS

AFTER THE MODEL BY NICOLAS PINEAU, BY FRANÇOIS LINKE, PARIS, CIRCA 1900

Closed14 November 2018

Price Realised

GBP 50,000

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A PAIR OF FRENCH ORMOLU THREE-LIGHT WALL-LIGHTS
AFTER THE MODEL BY NICOLAS PINEAU, BY FRANÇOIS LINKE, PARIS, CIRCA 1900
Modelled as a three-headed winged dragon perched upon a cartouche base, the flame-form nozzles each issuing from the clenched grip of a dragon head, signed 'F. Linke' to the edge of the shell
30 in. (76.2 cm.) high; 16 ½ in. (42 cm.) wide

Specialist note

With their spread-winged dragons, these wall-lights are related to designs by the sculptor and designer Nicolas Pineau (1684-1754), specifically to a drawing of a similarly-rendered wall-light by Pineau dated circa 1725 (Kunstbibliothek, Berlin, inv. HDZ 3139) and are nearly identical to a model attributed to Charles Cressent in the style of Nicolas Pineau, circa 1720 (Museum Gulkenkian, Lisbon, inv. 1975, 71 no. 1058), both published in H. Ottomeyer and P. Pröschel, et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, vol. I, Munich, 1986, p. 66, figs. 1.9.18 and 1.9.19.
Over a century after its original creation, it is likely that several nineteenth century furniture makers had access to the Cressent wall-light as this model was replicated by both François Linke by Christofle & Cie. One pair by Christofle sold Christie’s, New York, 21 October 2008, lot 232 ($18,750), another pair, unsigned but dated late 19th century sold Christie's, London, 30 September 2015, lot 177 (£18,750).