IMPORTANT PAIR OF EARLY EMPIRE FRENCH GILT-BRONZE CANDELABRA

A rare and important pair of French patinated and gilt-bronze candelabra from the early Empire period attributed to Claude Galle (1759-1815).

French circa 1810.

Of refined design and extremely elegant, in the form of patinated bronze Grecian maidens with plaited hair and flowing tunics, upholding in each hand an ornate cornucopia shaped candlearm with palm leaf cast nozzles. Standing on tapered patinated bronze plinths decorated with birds drinking from a fountain flanked by dolphins raised on gilt plinth bases.

Of pure Empire form having classical Grecian maidens, cornucopia and dolphins all with a certain refined design, along with the finesse and quality can all be associated very closely with one of the leading Empire bronzier of this period Claude Galle (1759-1815). Galle flourished during the Empire period when he supplied bronzes and ormolu mounts for furniture, clocks and other decorative items to Compiègne, Versailles, Saint-Cloud, the Grand Trianon and various other Courts throughout Europe. His work is highly collectable.

Width: 7 1/2 inches - 19 cm
Height: 15 3/4 inches - 40cm
Depth: 4 3/4 inches - 12cm