Thursday, October 3, 2013

Pair of Bronze Girandoles


The figures, Paul and Virginia, depicted on each of the candlestick holders are from a popular eighteenth century love story by French author Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre.  This was a popular subject for girandole garnitures up until the mid nineteenth century.  This beautiful set dates from the 1840's with a recent electrification.  Each bronze candlestick is mounted on a marble and bronze base and decorated with original cut-crystal prisms.  They are fairly shallow so would lend themselves perfectly to a mantle.  16" h., 6" l., 4 1/4" w.  American, c. 1840  SOLD