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Two Orientalist patinated and gilt bronze figural torchères by Barbedienne

Creator: Ferdinand Barbedienne -Émile-Coriolan-Hippolyte Guillemin
Offered by: Mayfair Gallery

Description
French, c.1880
Height 96cm, width 26cm, depth 26cm

Émile Coriolan Hippolyte Guillemin, the famous French sculptor, designed these exquisite bronze figural torchères in c.1880. Guillemin was an accomplished artist, who regularly exhibited at the Salon in Paris from the 1870s to 1890s. Indeed, Guillemin showcased the original models for these candelabra at the Salon of 1872 to great acclaim. Guillemin’s designs were realised in bronze by the famous metalworker and foundry owner, Ferdinand Barbedienne. The Barbedienne factory was of the leading producers of artistic bronzes in the 19th Century. The firm enjoyed great success, winning multiple awards at the major International Exhibitions of the period. The torchères are signed, ‘Ele Guillemin’ and stamped, ‘F. Barbedienne. Fondeur’, with an ‘A. Collas’ reduction stamp.

Described in Barbedienne’s catalogue of 1886 as ‘Deux Femmes, Indienne et Persane’, these torchères take the form of an Indian and Persian woman. Each figure holds a five-light candelabrum above her head, composed of scrolled branches, wide gadrooned drip-pans, and foliate urn-shaped capitals. The Persian woman wears loose trousers, with a small top and short jacket. The Indian woman is dressed in a knotted skirt and a short, beaded top. Both figures wear arm rings, earrings, and long, beaded headdresses. The details of the candelabra, the women’s jewellery, and the individual folds of the draperies they wear have been beautifully articulated by gilding.

More Information

Documentation:	Signed
Origin:	France
Period:	19th Century
Materials:	Bronze, Gilt, Patinated Bronze,
Creation Date:	1880
Styles / Movements:	Traditional
Dealer Reference #:	15962
Incollect Reference #:	380031

Dimensions

W.	10.24 in;	H.	37.8 in;	D.	10.24 in;
W.	26 cm;	H.	96 cm;	D.	26 cm;

Message from Seller:

Mayfair Gallery is a leading gallery in the field of art and antiques, holding a large collection of unique pieces for sale. The breadth of the gallery’s collection is wide, and includes items from a range of periods, styles and geographical origins, as well as works by famous artists and craftsmen. The main focus of the gallery’s collection is, however, on items produced during the 19th and early 20th century.