A pair of ormolu wheat ears candlesticks

26 000 €

Description
Histoire

France, Louis XVI period, circa 1775

Chased and gilt bronze

Height: 27cm – 10 ²⁄₃ inches

Width: 14cm – 5 1⁄2 inches

Depth: 14cm – 5 1⁄2 inches

Similar examples

A pair of ormolu candlesticks, Louis XVI period, second half of the 18^th century, former collection of the Galerie Léage
A pair of ormolu candlesticks, Louis XVI period, second half of the 18^th century, private collection.
A pair of ormolu candlesticks, Louis XVI period, second half of the 18^th century, private collection.

The circular base of this pair of candlesticks alternates three acanthus leaves and three tri-lobed palmettes-shells underlined by a frieze of piastres. The central shaft rests on a braid enriched with pearls. Slightly oblong in shape, it is decorated with solids and chiseled wheat ears. Their stalks, of varying lengths, are joined by the torch’s ribbon-like bow, thus suggesting a bouquet. The upper collar is also adorned with a wheat ears frieze. Four-lobed flower buds encircle the fluted upper part, which is hemmed at the neck with a twist and topped with a frieze of water flowers on the rim.

The sophisticated spirit of the Louis XVI period

This pair of delicately carved candlesticks is a perfect illustration of the decorative vocabulary in vogue during the Louis XVI period. It combines a neoclassical repertoire of friezes of piastres and water flowers, of palmettes and acanthus leaves, with fine bucolic patterns of flower buds and wheat ears, in line with the ornamentations favored by Queen Marie-Antoinette at the Trianon.

We also know of three other pairs of candlesticks similar to the one studied here, now in private hands. Their bases are all decorated with friezes of piastres, their shafts are adorned with wheat ears and solids, and each pair shows a frieze of wheat ears on its upper neck and four-lobed flower buds on its upper part. Only the alternating designs on their bases and the friezes carved on the edges of their necks can change, although these are always ornaments of antic and bucolic inspiration.

Therefore, this model of wheat ears candlesticks seems to have enjoyed great popularity during the reign of Louis XVI.