A Louis XV style eight-light gilt-bronze chandelier, after André-Charles Boulle, mid-19th century

Related literature

Andé-Charles Boulle, catalogue de l’exposition au château de Chantilly, juin – octobre 2024), Monelle Hayot Editions, p. 272-279.

Our chandelier is identical to the one featured in the André-Charles Boulle exhibition at the Château de Chantilly (June–October 2024) (1). It originally came from the collections of the Ducs de La Rochefoucauld and La Roche-Guyon at the Château de La Roche Guyon (Val d'Oise) (1). It was kept in the château's grand salon from the time it was probably delivered to Alexandre I de la Rochefoucauld (1690–1762) until the collections were dispersed by his descendants at the Sotheby's Monaco, Succession of Gilbert de la Rochefoucauld, Duc de La Roche-Guyon, Monaco, on 6 and 7 December 1987, lot 127. It recently came up for sale again when Bernard Tapie's collection was dispersed at Drouot, Paris, on 6 July 2022, lot 29.

This eight-light chandelier is a testament to the refinement of André-Charles Boulle's ornamental repertoire. Its baluster shaft structure, decorated with consoles featuring ‘Indian’ heads, is reminiscent of the models created by the master at the turn of the 18th century. However, the vigour of the acanthus foliage, the asymmetrical openwork cartouches and the naturalistic animation of the female figures suggest that it dates from around 1728-1730, a period when the forms inherited from classicism were already being enriched with rocaille accents.

Boulle's chandeliers, highly sought after by major collectors, were mentioned in numerous 18th-century inventories and often imitated abroad, particularly in Bavaria and Ansbach, where French and local bronze smiths reproduced the designs.

Our chandelier reflects the taste, under the July Monarchy, around 1830-40, for Louis XV period furniture and more particularly for the furniture of André-Charles Boulle. The most striking example of this revival is the furniture commissioned by the Duke of Orleans for his apartments in the Tuileries Palace. He asked the greatest furniture and objets d'art makers of his time, such as Bellangé and Jean-Jacques Feuchère, to create furniture inspired by the past, ranging from the Middle Ages to the early 17th century. For the ceremonial and reception rooms, the furniture commissioned was directly inspired by the creations of the reign of Louis XIV. For example, there was a return to marquetry in parts and counterparts, characteristic of this period. Unfortunately, the fire at the Tuileries in 1871 destroyed much of this décor, of which only a few examples remain, such as a sideboard for the dining room by Alexandre Bellangé fils, now in the Louvre (OA 12234), which perfectly embodies this taste for late 17th-century furniture.