A pair of gilt-bronze candelabra attributed to Gérard-Jean Galle Empire, circa 1820

one with the figure of Mars with a sword in one hand, the other with Minerva with an oval shield depicting Medusa, both holding a ribbon-tied fasces supporting a berried laurel wreath issuing six candlearms in the form of trumpets, the candlebranches cast with angels blowing trumpets, each on an octagonal base depicting cherubs with the arms of Mars, the canted corners with military trophies, the military standard with the initials EF, on a leaf cast base, now with modern scagliola pedestals in imitation of Sienna and white marble; formerly fitted for electricity

Galerie 'Au Directoire et Au Premier Empire’ 56 Rue de Miromesnil, pre 1935.
Sold lot 138, Sotheby’s, Monaco, 19^th June 1997 (650,000FF)
Acquired from Partridge Fine Arts, London.

Partridge, recent acquisitions, 1998, illustrated no. 61.

In overall good conserved condition. Good quality casting. The colour of the gilt-bronze is more golden and attractive than in the photograph. The owl on Minerva's helmet has been resoldered. The top of the spear on the candelabrum with Minerva is slightly bent. The bobèches have possibly been replaced. The visible screws have been touched up with gilding.
"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

Hans Ottomeyer/Peter Pröschel, Vergoldete Bronzen, Vol. I, Munich, 1986, p. 396, fig. 5.18.8.
V. Alexeieva, Pavlovsk, The Collections, 1993, Paris, p. 191, figs. 37 and 39.
P. Samoyault, Pendules et bronze d’ameublement entrés sous le Premier Empire, Paris, 1989, p. 160, no. 138.

These impressive candelabra with their detailed casting and chasing glorifying the virtues of War would have been symbolic during the Empire period, as the most celebrated bronziers of the Empire period including Galle, Thomire and Rabiat produced a number of works recalling the great mythological figures from Antiquity. The figures of Mars and Minerva reflect the Apollonian theme of the victory of light over darkness, Mars and Minerva not only being the embodiments of war, but also the bearers of light. The distaff on the sides of the plinth is an attribute of Hercules.

This pair of candelabra is related to a similar but not identical pair supplied by Gérard-Jean Galle, son of the celebrated bronzier Claude Galle to the Royal Palace in Stockholm, illustrated by Pröschel and Ottomeyer, op. cit, p. 396, fig. 5.18.8. The model found favour with other Royal and princely collectors, as another version is in the Russian Imperial collections in the Palace of Pavlovsk, see Alexeieva, op. cit., p. 191, figs. 37 and 39. This model must almost certainly been inspired by a model his father delivered to Napoleon in 1807 for Fontainebleau, illustrated by Samoyault, op. cit. p,. 160, no. 138.

Other known models sold at auction include:

- A smaller pair in bronze and gilt-bronze of a different design, attributed to Galle, sold from the sale Ariane Dandois, Vol. I, Sotheby’s New York, 25th October 2007, lot 1.

- A smaller pair in bronze and gilt-bronze with Ulysees and Telemac, sold Sotheby’s,Monaco, 21st February 1988, lot 714.

- A pair solely in patinated bronze with variations in the figures with Minerva holding a sword in her hand rather than a shield but with identical cherubs on the bases, was sold lot 246, Sotheby's, London, 13th December 1996.

- An almost identical pair to the aforementioned pair, where Mars holds a shield instead of a sword, was sold from the Hector Binney collection, lot 51, Sotheby's, London 26th November 1971.

- A pair depicting Minerva holding a sword and Mars holding a shield was sold Sotheby’s, Zurich, 10th December 1996, lot 460.