A Pair of Galician Silver-Gilt Three-Light Wall Sconces, maker's mark ZS, Lemberg, 1797

the shaped backplates embossed and chased with lions holding vacant cartouches flanked by rococo urns and topped by fruit baskets flanked by spread-winged birds, leafy-branch arms supporting fluted drip pans and shell and leaf-chased sconces

good condition
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Lvov (Lemberg) was a major Jewish center in Galicia.  After the region became part of the Habsburg Empire in 1772, Germanized Jews were allowed to live outside the ghetto.   The Jews comprised at least a third of the total population and much of the wealth, particularly from the wholesale trade between Vienna and Russia.  In 1820, there were 34 Jewish goldsmiths in the town. 

These sconces share many motifs with silver Torah shields of the period.  In addition, sconces with plain centers flanked by rampant lions were used in eastern synagogues, such as an example in embossed brass reproduced Chaya Benjamin, The Steiglitz Collection, fig. 239 I, p. 358.