A PAIR OF RUSSIAN ORMOLU AND PATINATED BRONZE THREE-BRANCH CANDELABRA

A pair of candelabra of this model, but with further candle branches issuing from the head of the female figure, was sold Collection of Carlos de Beistegui, Chateau de Groussay; Sotheby's, Paris, 2 June 1999, vol. I, lot 224 (FF 576,440). The Beistegui pair and the present lot also relate to an ormolu and patinated bronze brûle-parfum in the Wildenstein Collection, sold Christie’s, London, 14-15 December 2005, lot 73 (£198,400), and to a pair of candelabra sold in the abovementioned Beistegui sale, vol. I, lot 232 (FF 421,225). The particularly elaborate and ambitious design of the highly sculptural and complex base of these works suggest that they were conceived by a leading bronzier of the early nineteenth century. In fact, a pair of incense burners of the above model is in the Hermitage Museum (inv. nos. E1585-6) and may well have formed part of the Parisian purchases of Paul I of Russia. Undoubtedly, the Tsar of Russian only acquired objects of the highest quality and from the best sources; from craftsmen capable of designing and executing such grand models. Bronziers with this type of talent include Pierre-Philippe Thomire and Claude Galle. In fact, a brûle-parfum with similarly complex base by Galle is in the Victoria & Albert Museum, see H. Ottomeyer, P. Pröschel, et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, vol. I, Munich, 1986, p. 363, fig.5.12.5.