Pair of large ormolu candelabra by Barbedienne

This pair of candelabra is by the preeminent 19^th Century French maker Ferdinand Barbedienne. Each nine-light candelabrum is crafted from ormolu (gilt bronze) in the superb late 19^th Century Neoclassical style for which Barbedienne is rightly celebrated.

Each candelabrum is supported by an architectural plinth-form stepped base, the base raised by four foliate paw feet. The base supports, via a waisted socle, the vase-form body of each candelabrum. This body is mounted to the front with an elaborate cartouche containing a grotesque classical mask, and is set to the sides with twin scrolling foliate handles. The vase-form body narrows to a slender neck, adorned to the front with a fleur-de-lis motif, while the neck is surmounted with a bowl-form top—embossed with anthemia and fleur-de-lis detailing—from which spring the candelabrum’s nine branches. Each candelabrum features a central vertical shaped branch flanked by eight scrolling foliate branches, each branch surmounted by a drip pan and a candle holder. The detailing throughout is superb: the ormolu is magnificently cast with exceptionally fine detail.

Each candelabrum is signed to its socle 'F. Barbedienne'.