By Miroy Frères, Paris (fl. mid-19th Century)
These magnificent torchères, emblematic of the Four Continents, are superb demonstrations of the Academic style that dominated nineteenth-century French art.
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This set of four very large torchères is crafted from patinated (or bronzed) metal and ormolu in the Academic style. Each torchère is modelled as a standing classical female figure holding aloft a six-light candelabrum. The figures are emblematic of the four continents, as revealed by the costumes they wear: one represents Africa, one America, one Europe, and one Asia. The figures were designed in the manner of Mathurin Moreau in the Academic style: the style that dominated nineteenth-century French classicism and reigned supreme within the Salon for decades. Each figure stands in contrapposto, wearing a light dress and is accented with hints of gilding to headbands and necklaces.
The figures hold aloft six-light ormolu candelabra, each candelabrum centred with a flambeau with perched doves, with the branches crafted in an intricate, foliate manner. The figures stand on marble topped bases, with each base supported by three ormolu cabriole legs terminating in Greek key scrolls above bun feet.
The patinated metal figures were cast by Miroy Frères and are signed to the base ‘Miroy Frères a Paris’. The ormolu bases and candelabra are later.
Height: 228cm, diameter 50cm
Torchères alone: Height 197cm, diameter 34cm
Bases alone: Height 31cm, diameter 50cm
Reference:
16599
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