A pair of Russian ormolu and patinated bronze two-branch wall lights in the manner of Nikolai Iwanowitsch Lieberich possibly by the Kasli Foundry, circa 1880

Carlton Hobbs, London
Collection of Bill Blass, sold Sotheby's New York, October 23, 2003, lot 201

Rubbing and surface dirt to ormolu brackets as visible in catalogue illustration. Some staining to the ormolu of one and one small foundry crack to the side of one. Both wall lights are in very good preserved condition. Wonderful and rare model. Drilled but not wired for electricity.
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 Kasli Foundry, located on the shores of Lake Kasli in the Ural Mountains was founded in 1747 by the Tula merchant Yakov Korobkoff. Owned by the Demidoff family in 1751, the foundry was later sold to Lev Rastorgueff. At the turn of the century, under his directorship, the foundry expanded and flourished, reaching the peak of its importance in the second half of the 19th century. An art school was established at the plant which had earned a reputation for producing pieces of outstanding quality some which were displayed at the Great Exhibitions in Paris (1867); Vienna (1873); Philadelphia (1876) and Copenhagen (1888), earning gold medals and other awards of distinction. Similar examples of bears produced by the Kasli Foundry are recorded, such as one by F. Samoylin, see I.M. Peshkova, The Art of the Kasli, p. 46, pls. 36 and 37. A patinated bronze bear from Kasli by the famed animalier Nikolai Iwanowitsch Lieberich (1828-1883) with basically identical and highly realistic modeling of the animal's fur, see Zamira Malayeva, The Art of Decorative Iron: Kasli, Moscow, 2005, p. 76, fig. 83.