A pair of Louis XVI gilt-bronze candlesticks, the design attributed to Jean-Louis Prieur, late 18th century

In 1778, the maître doreur Prégermain delivered for the Comte d’Artois’s bedroom at the Château de Bagatelle two pairs of small candlesticks - “deux paires de petits flambeaux carquois en trepied trés richement ciselés et dorés d’or mat” (two pairs of small quiver tripod candlesticks richly chased and gilded mat) – a description matching the model of the present lot.

A design for a wall applique by Prieur (Getty Museum 79.GA.179) shows the same arrow motif and cordate ending to shaft and knowing that Prieur collaborated with François-Joseph Bélanger, the architect of Bagatelle, he is the likely the creator of this model. Prieur also worked for the Comte d’Artois at Versailles delivering pieces for his boudoir turc, also gilt by Prégermain. This model seems to have been particularly successful and produced with variations (see Christie’s New York, Alexander Collection, 30 April 1999, lot 10; Christie’s New York, 21 October 2004, lot 1090), although the present lot stands out as of very fine casting and chasing.