Rare Museum Quality Pair of Empire Ormolu Patinated Bronze Candlesticks attr. C. Galle, ca. 1810:
a tapering partially patinated stem raised on a round and slightly domed ormolu foot with palmetto and acanthus leaf relief; the base of the stem being decorated with ormolu lanceolate leafs and an ormolu guilloche band, the upper end being decorated by a frieze of applied small ormolu four-leaf flowers. The nozzles show an anthemion frieze and have removable drip pans. The dark-brown patina consists of a subtle, silk-like feel of extraordinary beauty.
The pair of early 19th century Empire candlesticks show an excellence of gilding, patina and chiseling which as well as stylistic features such as the special silkish surface of the dark-brown patina, the slender tapering stems and the upper frieze of four leaf flowers lead to one of the most important fondeurs-ciseleurs or bronze makers of his time, Claude Galle ( 1758-1815): having been received as a maître in 1786, Galle nearly immediately gained many commissions from the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne and then enjoyed significant patronage under Emperor Napoleon. He is known to have collaborated with Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843) and was responsible for the majority of bronzes d’ameublement supplied during the Empire to Château de Fontainebleau and other palaces. The world’s finest collections exhibiting his work, i.e. Musée National de Château de Malmaison, the Musée Marmottan in Paris, the Museo de Reloges at Jerez de la Frontera, the Residenz Munich and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Literature: Marie-France Dupuy-Baylet: L’Heure, Le Feu, La Lumière – Les Bronzes du Mobilier National 1800-1870, Dijon, 2010, p. 61, 63-65
Condition: min. wear consistent with age and use, min. fading,one drip pan with slight damage at the rim due to use and cleaning, slightly dented – detailed condition report on request
