意大利銅胎鎏金配青銅人像及埃及紅斑岩底座燭台一對，出自雕塑家法蘭西斯科·里吉提（1749-1819年），羅馬， 十八世紀後期

in the Egyptian taste, each in the form of a standing Egyptian figure in a Nemes headdress and elaborately draped costume holding a pylon shaped tablet with stylised hieroglyphs supporting an acanthus leaf cast vase with spirally-twist border issuing bullrushes with green patinated gilt-bronze leaves and four scrolled reeded acanthus leaf cast candlearms with plain vasiform candle-nozzles and drip-pans, with a futher raised central candlenozzle, on a gilt-bronze and Egyptian porphyry socle with  paterae suspending ribbon-tied fruiting swags within an acanthus border supported on the back of four recumbent lionesses on a square white marble base

歐洲私人收藏

In very good conserved condition. A stunning rare model which can be placed immediately. Very good quality casting. This pair have been compared to the Quirinale model in Rome which we have personally inspected and many mounts are of exactly the same size. We feel the present lot is most probably early 19th century and not late 18th century as stated in the catalogue. Very minor rubbing and pitting in places to the gilt-bronze and very minor surface dirt and the lions would benefit from a gentle clean. Also some very minor rubbing and verdi gris to the bronze. Very minor nick to the inside of the rim of one candle-nozzle which is hardly noticeable. There are some very minor scattered miniscule chips to the porphyry and white marble bases as visible in tehcatalogue photograph. Some of the bullrushes on the top are a little loose but can easily be secured. The green leaves are in painted tôle and not green patinated gilt-bronze as stated in the catalogue. Some very minor wear to the green paint on the leaves with some very minor retouching.
"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."

此對紅斑岩底座燭台瑰麗奪目，優秀之處在其精妙革新設計，手工精細之鑲銅雕刻，相信是由知名羅馬銅匠法蘭西斯科•里吉提（Francesco Righetti）（1749-1819）於十八世紀後期製作。本作受當時人們重拾對古埃及及文物考古發現的興趣所啟發，符合資深藏家在十八世紀下旬的收藏品味，很大程度上是來自作品細緻融合了珍貴物料、銅胎鎏金以及埃及紅斑岩，令人聯想到古羅馬的砥柱遺跡。

從法蘭西斯科•里吉提所製的不少相似作品，足見此對燭台同為出自其手筆，當中包括一對銅胎鎏金及青銅、白色大理石、古綠（verde antico）大理石配新古典風格人像燭台，簽名F. Righetti並紀年1797，現存於羅馬奎里納勒宮（Palazzo del Quirinale）。里吉提經常在燭台作品中採用動物雕刻底座及盾形徽紋。而支柱上的人像很可能取材自兩座古埃及女祭司愛希斯之神像（安提利亞斯），現立於羅馬皮奧‧克萊門蒂諾博物館（Museo Pio Clementino）大門兩側，原收藏於知名哈德良皇帝別墅。