A PAIR OF DIRECTOIRE ORMOLU TWIN-BRANCH WALL-LIGHTS

This jewel-like pair of bras à plateau à deux bobèches can be confidently attributed to the celebrated bronzier François Rémond (1747-1812) based on contemporary documentation as described in the note for lot 76 in this sale. An interesting feature of the present wall lights is that, unlike in the case of lot 76, the arm can be removed from the backplate, making refreshing candles easier. Furthermore, the plateau can be reversed to change the overall look of the wall lights. The female mask decorating the hexagonal backplate helps us date the present wall lights closer to the Directoire period, somewhat later than lot 76. A further set of four wall lights of almost identical design was sold anonymously; Sotheby's Monaco, 30 November 1986, lot 905 and subsequently from the London collection of Mrs. Wrightsman, Sotheby's New York, 28 April 2010, lot 181 ($50,000).