A pair of French two tone gilt-bronze and white marble candelabra in Louis XVI style, third quarter 19th century

each with seven candlebranches in the form of lillies and modelled with the figures of Flora and Zephyr; drilled for electricity

Sold Christie's New York, 20th April 2005, lot 529

Impressive. Some minor rubbing and wear to the gilt bronze. One formerly drilled for electricity. The swags to the base of one would benefit from fixing which can easily be done. A most attractive pair.
"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."

Comparative Literature:
H. Ottomeyer, P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, vol. I, p. 254, fig. 4.7.2. The pose and design of the figures on these candelabra are loosely based upon a sketch in the 1761 livret of Gabriel de Saint-Aubin, illustrated by Ottomeyer/Pröschel, op. cit., p. 254, fig. 4.7.1., see fig. 1.  Saint-Aubin's sketch was of a pair of plaster candelabra models exhibited at the Salon in 1761 by Etienne-Maurice Falconet (1716-91), who was the Director of the Sculpture Studio at the Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory (1759-66). They were intended to be cast in silver by the orfèvre François-Thomas Germain (1726-91), who had taken over the workshop and royal appointment of his  father, Thomas Germain, upon the latter's death. In the Explication des Peintures, Sculptures et gravures, de Messieurs de l'Académie Royale...dans le grand Salon du Louvre pour l'année 1761, Falconet's models are mentioned as Deux groupes de femmes en platre ce sont des chandeliers pour être exécutés en argent. Ils sont deux pièces six pouces de haut chacun.

A pair of three-light candelabra with gilt-bronze figures upon a white marble base now in the Residenz, Munich illustrated op. cit.,  p. 254, fig. 4.7.2. 

There is in the Wallace Collection, London, another related pair of four-branch candelabra with patinated-bronze figures upon a gilt-bronze base illustrated by P. Hughes, The Wallace Collection, Catalogue of Furniture, London, 1996, vol. III, cat. no.237 (F136-7), pp. 1213-16.