A FRENCH GILT-METAL, CUT AND MOULDED GLASS EIGHT LIGHT CHANDELIER

The firm of Baguès Frères, Paris, working from the mid-19th century, produced a wide variety of lighting fixtures and iron work in modern and earlier styles. Elaborating and mixing the two styles, using fountains, fruit, flowers and animals for their subjects, Baguès specialized in rock crystal set in silvered or gilt mounts, often using the vine or leaf motifs so dear to them which are featured in the present chandelier. Their work also included the magnificent chandeliers in the Chambre de la Reine at Versailles. Amongst the chandeliers attributed to Baguès sold at auction recently, an ormolu, silvered-metal, rock crystal and glass chandelier was sold from the property of Mrs. Barbara Piasecka Johnson, Christie's, London, 6 December 2007, lot 21 (£50,900 including premium).