A pair of monumental gilt and patinated bronze twenty-four light chandeliers first half 20th century

each with a baluster-shaped open central stem issuing six leaf scrolled branches, each issuing four further branches terminating with conforming nozzles, the stem with three black patinated seated putti above three other putti holding a turret and a laurel wreath. Fitted for electricity.

Related literature: Hans Ottomeyer & P. Proschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Kinkhardt & Biermann, Munich, 1986, p. 137

Pierre Verlet, Les Bronzes dorés Français du XVIIIe Siècle, Picard, Paris, 1987, p. 288P.

Jacques Caffiéri (1673-1755), who trained as a sculptor, became the leading Fondeur-Ciseleur of the Louis XV period. Reçu mâitre in 1715, from 1736 he was employed by the Crown, working at Versailles, Fontainebleau, Choisy, Marly, and other Royal palaces.

With twenty-four lights and the pierced lower terminal hosting three doves lacking, the present lot is a variant of the original chandelier made by Caffieri for the Château Arnet, which was moved to the Mazarine Library in Paris after the revolution.  The cherubs holding the tower are thought to represent one of the towers featured in the coat of arms of Madame de Pompadour.  The boldly modeled branches and leaf sprays of the present model are also in keeping with the original.  Other examples of chandeliers by Caffieri are in the Wallace Collection in London, see 'Wallace Collection Catalogues, Furniture,' plate 37.