A rare pair of bronze figural oil lamps of 'L'Etude' and 'La Philosophie', after the design by Simon-Louis Boizot Restauration, circa 1820

each modelled with a classically draped seated male and female in study, seated on a tasselled and decorated drapery, surmounted by flame-shaped nozzle, the gadrooned body raised on high oval foot, on oval shaped pedestal and foliate cast plinth, with removable cover (with attached figure) screwed to the body and revealing a metal oil reservoir, one flame-shaped nozzle missing

In overall good condition with some minor dents, marks, scratches and wear to the patination. Slightly dirty. Formerly fitted for electricity (drill-holes visible to the bases). Lamp with 'La Philosophie' wanting nozzle and flame-shaped drip-pan, related damage to the ornament (slightly loose and with cracks). Right arm of 'La Philosophie' cast separately, slightly loose in the joint. Flame-shaped drip-pan of 'L'Etude' with small section to the flames missing.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The figures of these lamps are based upon the model executed by Simon-Louis Boizot (1743-1809) for the Sèvres porcelain factory to be produced in biscuit. The model was very successful and much repeated and was used in a variety of ways. The female figure representing L'Etude accompanied by a male figure representing La Philosophie can for example be found on a celebrated group of clocks by the bronzier François Rémond. L'Etude also appears on a pair of chenets in the Grand Trianon (see Hans Ottomeyer / Peter Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich 1986, Vol. I, p. 294. fig. 4.17.3). Two identical figures of L'Etude are in Pavlovsk Palace, illustrated, E. Ducamp, Pavlovsk The Collections, Paris, 1993, p. 42, another figure of L'Etude (together with La Philosophie) is in the J. Paul Getty Museum (see G. Wilson and C. Hess, Summary Catalogue of European Decorative Art in the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles 2001, no. 189, p. 93). A similar Directoire candleholder is illustrated in Ottomeyer / Pröschel, op. cit. p. 294, fig. 4.17.1; further comparable pairs of candleholders lately have been offered at Sotheby's Paris, 16 October 2007, lot 104, and Sotheby's New York, 6 November 2008, lot 138; for a biscuit model of La Philosophie see Ottomeyer / Pröschel, op.cit., fig. 4.17.2.

The development and execution of this specific model has always been closely associated with Thomire and his workshop, the same may apply to the present lamps. After Thomire succeeded Duplessis at the manufacture de Sèvres in 1783, he began collaborating with Boizot, execute ormolu mounts to decorate pieces of porcelain.

A drawing attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire himself in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris (see J. Bourne and V. Brett, Lighting, Paris 1992, p. 156, fig. 530; here illustrated) shows right on top of the chimney a flaming antique lamp in design very close to the lamps now on sale. The present lamps are in fact oil lamps (and not candleholders in the shape of oil lamp as those -for instance- mentioned by Ottomeyer/ Pröschel and previously offered by Sotheby's, see above); furthermore this drawing clearly shows the body with an ornamental upper rim, reflected in the tassels decorating the upper rim of the present lamps (not present on all candleholder examples). Compare also with two further sketches of this particular model of (again an) oil lamp (published in an article by P. Roseberg and B. Perronnet, Un album inédit de David, Revue de l'Art no. 142).