A gilt and patinated bronze three light candelabrum, French, probably for the Russian market, Empire period, circa 1805

in the form of a maiden seated on a tasselled cushion with raised hands holding a cloak and supporting candelabrum base in the form of an oil lamp, cast with acanthus, palmettes and Grecian mask and issuing three gilt nozzles, the stepped square plinth decorated with a frieze of rosettes and a caryatid cast in relief and holding flaming torches

A very similar example of this type used to be in the collection of the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, illustrated in: Igor Sychev, The Russian Chandeliers 1760-1830, Copyright 2003, P.V.B.R. p.193, fig 979, and reproduced below. (fig.2)  We believe the example offered to have been one of a group of unusual models produced in Paris for the Russian market.  The motif of a seated vestal virgin appears to be inspired by Greek and Roman prototypes, although the closest related object, a clock signed by Claude Galle, features an Egyptian maiden with a cloak supporting the case in a similar fashion.  A very similar pair catalogued as Russian, sold at Sotheby's in a furniture sale on 11th December 1992, lot 380 for £26,000.