A pair of gilt-bronze, parcel-gilt and faux bronze torchères in Russian Empire style

each with a gadrooned circular top above a leaf-cast neck, the flaring baluster stem cast with lotus leaves and trails of grapes and vines, on a triform base surmounted upon a baluster vase flanked with three eagles, the triform lower section with an egg-and-dart moulding, above panelled sides with verde antico marble plaques, on acanthus leaf paw feet, the whole painted to simulate bronze

Sold La Collection d'un grand Amateur, Sotheby's, London, 7th December 2000, lot 159.
Sold Sotheby's, London, 11th June 2003, lot 128. 

In overall good conserved condition. Colour overall less greenish more natural and attractive than in the catalogue photograph with the gilding more golden. There are some chips generally which can be touched up. There is some minor rubbing to the bronze. One paw foot has had the acanthus leaf tip restored and another leaf on the other torchère has been restored. There are some minor losses to the carving generally on the feet. Old minor restorations to the top of the triangular wooden base of one with a screw visible and touched up with paint.
"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:
A. Chenevière, Russian Furniture, The Golden Age, 1790-1840, London, 1988, pp. 45-48, figs 31 and 32.

These unsual torchères with their combination of gilding and painting to simulate bronze and the crisp quality of the carving and casting, are features which are often found on Russian furniture of the late 18th/early 19th century. Related examples are illustrated by Chenevière, op. cit, pp. 45-48. Also see fig 34, p47, (now in the Ostankino Palace Museum), for a torchère in the Egyptian manner, with Egyptian masks on the stem as on the present pair and p. 33, fig 17, for a torchère (now in the Ostankino Museum), with a triform base, baluster foliate carved stem and Egyptian recumbent sphinxes. More elaborate examples can be seen illustrated by Chenevière op. cit., p. 60, fig. 49 and p. 61, fig. 50, which have elements painted to simulate bronze as on the offered pair.  According to Chenevière op. cit., Russian makers borrowed models from France, England. Similar torchères are shown in a print kept in the Musée des Art Décoratifs in Paris, representing the Fête de la Régénération.