Pair of Empire-style French gilt and patinated bronze stands

This excellent pair of stands are made from gilt and patinated bronze in the French Empire style. Placed upon a set of small gilt feet, each rectangular piece features a pair of gilt bands around the top and the base, and four female figures on the square faces of each side. The female figures, resting upon small plinths, holding a variety of goblets, and surrounded by lyres, other musical instruments and vaseware at their feet, are heavily classical in appearance, with long flowing drapery pinned at the shoulder. Made in France in the 20th century, they are superbly crafted, and are demonstrative on the fine blend of the Neoclassical and Empire styles.