A pair of Empire gilt-bronze mounted white marble five-light candelabra circa 1815

each with cast accanthus leaf scrolling branches centred by pine finial, above white marble column, on a triform lower section with lion masks to corners and panelled chased reliefs with birds flanking urn with grapevines, all standing on paw feet on marble plinth

This impressive pair of candelabra is in very good condition, marble bases with light scuffing and minor chips. Ready to be placed. For all sales which take place on or after 1 February 2015, please note that the rate of buyer's premium for each lot (charged as a percentage of the hammer price achieved for that lot) has been revised and shall be calculated at the thresholds set out below: Buyer's premium is 25% of the hammer price up to and including £100,000; Buyer's premium is 20% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £100, 000 up to and including £1,800,000; Buyer's premium is 12% of the hammer price on any amount in excess of £1,800,000. As stated above, the revised thresholds are effective as of 1 February 2015.
"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."

These impressive candelabra are inspired by the Roman ‘Barberini’ marble candelabra, now in the Vatican Museums, which have a similar tripod base and acanthus leaf decoration. The maker of the present lot directly sourced the anthemion frieze with lion mask motifs from these candelabra.

Other examples of similarly shaped candelabra are known, such as the ones made by Thomire who developed several models from this prototype, the first one, a group of four delivered to the Emperor Napoleon in 1811 and now in the Grand Trianon, Versailles. There is a simpler model, and closer in terms of design to the present lot, which combines stone and bronze - one pair in mounted lapis-lazuli is in Windsor Castle (RCIN 72532) and a malachite pair of tazze sold with Sotheby’s New York 3^rd June 2008, lot 139.

The extremely fine gilt-bronze chasing, the accomplished design and the above mentioned comparable examples suggest Thomire as a possible maker of these pieces, probably made as part of a specific commission.