A Monumental Napoleon III silver-plated twelve-light candelabrum centerpiece, Christofle, Paris, 1854-57

the oval base decorated with Vitruvian scrolls, openwork lattice panels, applied berried foliage and shields bearing coat-of-arms under coronets, supporting a fully modeled classical female dancing while a satyr plays a pan flute under a foliate frame, the reeded scroll branches springing from leaves and with leafy drip pans supporting lobed campana form sconces, all topped by a circular basket pierced with flaring sides pierced with lobes.

The arms are those of Milan or Milani, of Provence, under a baron's coronet.

central basket lacking glass liner, wear to plating at high spots throughout. otherwise good, very well modeled and 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.

The form of this piece, with its pear-shaped arbor, was used by Christofle for the candelabra and centerpieces in the service made in 1863 for Archduke Maximillian as Emperor of Mexico (Henri Bouilhet, 150 Ans d'Orfèvrerie, p. 90, fig. 1).  The central group of a faun and a bacchante, though, had been used on a centerpiece for Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie at the Tuileries (ibid., p. 119, fig. 5).