A large pair of Louis XVI ormolu three-branch wall lights circa 1770

Drilled for electricity, now partially with old wiring. With some clear glue and glue residue to arms where wires are fixed to the ormolu. One with flowering urn finial detached with all pieces present. Some elements slightly loose that can be stabilized by tightening some screws on the back. Some swags over side arms with breaks and now stabilized with small screwes; breaks possibly inherent to the piece. WIth some rubbing and surface dirt. In good condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

These wall lights are a variant of the model in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, delivered for Louis XVI's bedroom at St. Cloud (F.J.B. Watson, The Wrightsman Collection, Vol. II, 1966, p. 426, Nos. 237 A.-D.  The set of four was delivered in 1788 under the direction of the sculptor Hauré, cast by the fondeur Forestier and chased and gilt by Thomire, at a total cost of 2,224 livres (of which Thomire received 2,024 livres).  Interestingly, this model was adapted from one that Thierry Ville d'Avay had already placed in his Grand Cabinet in Paris and which had been copied for the comtesse de Provence's bedroom at Versailles.  Hauré adapted this model by replacing the rams' heads by lion masks.

The tapering pedestal form of the back found on these models also relates to two pairs of wall lights from Louis XVI's bedroom at Compiègne, transferred in 1786 to Fontainebleau, and now in the Wallace Collection (P. Hughes, The Wallace Collection of Furniture, London, 1996, Vol. III, pp. 1419-1422, no. 298).

An earlier prototype for these models would appear to be the set of twelve wall lights supplied by Philippe Caffiéri, c. 1766-68, for the Royal Palace in Warsaw (see H. Ottomeyer & P. Pröschel et al., Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, Vol. II., p. 560).