A pair of French gilt-bronze candlelabra late 18th/early 19th century

each with five scrolled foliate cast candlebranches with a further central nozzle and a fruit-filled tazza supported by two Graces on white marble socles cast with stylised Vitruvian scolls and laurel leaf sprays within a band of oak leaves and acorns on square bases with inverted corners 

In overall good conserved condition. One nozzle dirty and some minor verde gris to another two nozzles and the gilding is slightly worn on the nozzles as visible from the photograph on one candelabrum. Some resoldering to two scrolls and ther candelarms of same one. On the other candelabrum three candelarms and scroll has been resoldered and some the gilding on the repair has been touched up. On both-some of the candlearms are slightly bent inwards and would benefit from straightening. The screws are all missing on the oak leaf band on the bases but this does not detract from the piece. The marble bases are slightly dirty and would benefit from a light clean according to taste with some miniscule chips and pitting which are hardly noticeable. The screw is also missing one one cornucopia and the disc separating the nozzle on one candlearm is missing and needs to be replaced.
"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 and P. Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, Vol. I, p.254, fig. 4.7.1.

The design of the figures is close to a sketch by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin reproduced by H. Ottomeyer/P. Pröschel, op. cit., p.254, fig. 4.7.1. This sketch is of plaster models of pairs of figures holding candle-branches exhibited at the Salon in 1761 by Etienne-Maurice Falconet (1716-91), Director of the Sculpture Studio at Sèvres (1759-66).They were intended to be cast in silver by the orfèvre François-Thomas Germain.

A number of other candelabra are known which show similarities with the figures on the offered pair and which may also have been inspired by the Falconet design. These include five different pairs and a centrepiece in the Residenz Museum, Munich;at Schloss Nymphenburg, purchased in Paris in the 1770's by the duc de Deux-Ponts for the Hôtel de Deux-Ponts in Strasbourg,see Ottomeyer/Pröschel, op. cit., pp.254-5, figs. 4.7 .2. and 4.7.6. The Wallace Collection, London, has 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.