An ormolu seven-light lantern, probably Jean-François Arnou, 1762-1764

octoganal, with glass panels, the ormolu mounts applied with biscuit porcelain flowers

The Great Hall of the Ekaterinhof Palace, St Peterbsurg, 1764-circa 1920
Sold, Kunstwerke auction, Berlin 4-5 June 1929 (see illustration lower left) 

Igor Sychev, Russian Bronze, Trilistnik Moscow, 2003, p. 32
Igor Sychev, The Russian Chandeliers 1760-1830, P.V.B.R. 2003, p. 21

Two glass panels are lacking, parts of the flower garlands are also lacking and some porcelain flowers have been replaced with later ones. We would recommend prospective buyers to view this lot.
"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."

Lanterns adorned with porcelain flowers or 'garden motifs' were popular in France in the 1740s, but only appeared in Russia in the early 1760s when Catherine the Great began to import them.  An invoice from 15 August 1765 from the French merchant François Rembert records two large copper lanterns purchased for the Oranienbaum Palace apartments 'with a crown and specially designed framework, decorated with garlands of foliage and flowers of Sèvres porcelain and each with a candle holder. Total paid - 500 gilded copper coins'.  On 19 October 1766 another two large lanterns with porcelain flowers were bought from Friederich Wilhelm Poggenpohl for the Imperial Court at 325 silver rubles each.

Lanterns of this type were produced in a number of variations, most commonly incorporating pavilions, cages with porcelain birds and baskets of flowers, however the extravagant decoration of the present lot make it an exceptionally rare example.  As with all gilt-bronze objects manufactured in France between 1745 and 1769, it is marked with a C under a crown to indicate payment of the tax on gilt bronze.

Igor Sychov believes the offered lot originally hung with its pendant in the unlit or so-called 'Dark' corridors near the Merchant's staircase in the Grand Palace in Peterhof from the late 19^th century until the mid 1920s, when many of the artefacts in the Imperial Palaces were sent to the State Museum storage facilities in Leningrad. In 1929 the lantern was given to 'Antikvariat', a state-run company which exported artefacts abroad and later in that year sold at the Rudolph Lepke's Kunst-Auctions-Haus together with other artefacts from the Imperial Summer Palaces.