A gilt and patinated bronze egyptian revival candelabrum, circa 1820

in the form of an Egyptian slave wearing gilded tunic and head-dress, supporting a single light-socket and resting on a tôle peinte plinth imitating a temple covered with stylised hieroglyphics

The exoticism of ancient Egypt was brought to Europe by artists travelling with Napoleon on his military campaigns.  They made engravings which inspired craftsmen of all kinds throughout the continent.  

Although standing figures of this type were made in many European countries at the turn of the 19th century, the unusual design of the costume is more typically Russian.  An identical candelabrum is in the collection of the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, illustrated (fig.1) in Style and Epoch in the Decorative Arts, St Petersburg, 1996, p. 141, No. 662.