An impressive Russian gilt-bronze candelabrum, the workshop of E. Henriksen, last quarter 19th century

the baluster stem surmounted by a neo-classical tazza supporting the figure of Cupid standing on a globe, the baluster stem supporting six acanthus leaf candle-arms, with bulbous reservoirs, cast with scrolls and stylised scallop-shells, the socle flanked by recumbent female sphinxes on a concaved sided platform base centred by a lion mask scrolled corbels and acanthus; formerly fitted with oil lamps

The palace of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich, St Petersburg

I.Sychev, Russian Bronze, Mosow: Trefoil, 2003, ill. p.189

In 1868 Emperor Alexander II commissioned the construction of the Vladimir Palace as a wedding gift for his son Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich and his wife Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, née Princess of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. The palace was designed by the well known Russian architect Alexander Rezanov. Whilst the facade of the palace was modelled after a Florentine palazzo, the interiors were decorated by the best Russian craftsmen in a variety of different period styles, including Italian Renaissance, French Baroque and Rococo, Moorish and Panslavic style. As early as 1880 many of the interiors were remodelled after designs of the famous architect Maximilian Mesmacher. The bronze stairway was decorated to a design by Mesmacher in 1885-1886. The present candelabrum was produced in the St Petersburg workshop of Emile Henriksen from models by the sculptor A.I. Lapin and E.G.Schwartz. The bronzes produced in the Henriksen workshop were distinguished by their especially subtle finish, which was achieved by employing a manufacturing process primarily intended for objects in silver. Originally fitted with oil lamps several candelabra of similar design "in the style of Lebrun" were placed on the landing of the bronze stairway (fig.1.).