A pair of Italian Neoclassical silver and ormolu three-light candelabra possibly Naples, late 18th century

the silver tripod bases on white marble plinths, chased with leaf-tip and beaded borders, the tops with scrolling foliage centered by ormolu urns, rising to three ormolu griffon supports centered by fluted silver urns from which bouquets of silver carnations and three scrolling ormolu branches emerge, the branches formed as serpents with beaked dolphin heads holding flower blossoms topped by campana-form sconces.

Sotheby's New York, Property from the Estate of Wendell Cherry, November 2, 1996, lot 74

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.

The silver incorporated in these candelabra, although unmarked, appears to be of Neapolitan manufacture. The silver carnations are identical to those filling a Neapolitan ormolu-mounted jasper vase now in the Schatzkammer, Vienna, illustrated Alvar González-Palacios, Il Tempio del Gusto, Vol. II, Milan, 1984, p. 211, n. 486. Two other silver vases fitted with similar flowers, both in the collection of Tulio Fossati Bellani, are illustrated Argenti Italiani dal XVI al XVIII Secolo, Museo Poldi Pezzoli, Milan, 1959, n. 162.

Italian objects quite frequently combine silver and ormolu, whereas guild regulations in other countries forbade this combination. The highly stylized serpent forming the candle branches, and the Greek key, are stylistic devices found in the drawings of Giovanni Battista Piranesi. For two designs for console tables with supports elaborately entwined with serpents drawn with heads incorporating the beaks and ears found on the present lot and with one table incorporating flowers similar to those found on these candelabra, see John Wilton-Ely, Giovanni Battista Piranesi, The Complete Etchings, Vol. II, San Fransisco, 1994, p. 952, pl. 879 and p. 954, pl. 881.