Set of four Baroque style gilt-bronze wall lights by Picard

Set of four Baroque style gilt-bronze wall lights by Picard
French, 19th Century
Height 64cm, width 53cm, depth 27cm
 
By Picard, Henri (French, fl. 1831-1864), and each with four light branches, which are signed to the reverse 'H. Picard' and numbered, these beautiful pieces were made in France during the nineteenth century. Henri Picard was a leading bronzier of the nineteenth century, known for the exceptional quality of his works, mainly in gilt-bronze, and who collaborated both with the Sèvres porcelain manufactory and who supplied a great deal of pieces for Napoleon III, many of which remain in the Louvre's collections.
 
These pieces, while predominantly Baroque, have a certain Neoclassical refinement to them: this merging of styles is typical of the nineteenth century and Picard's work, who operated under the time of Napoleon III and after when craftsmen added extra individuality and creativity to their works, borrowing and blending stylistic influences as they saw fit, and rendering their creations in radiant gilt-bronze such as this.
 
Artist/Maker: Henri Picard