AN IMPORTANT FRENCH EMPIRE GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE CHANDELIER
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AN IMPORTANT FRENCH EMPIRE GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE CHANDELIER
French, circa 1810–1825.
Dimensions:
Height: 96.5cm / 38 Inches
Width: 66cm / 25.5 Inches
An exceptionally fine and imposing French Empire chandelier, executed in richly gilt and patinated bronze and decorated throughout with the classical vocabulary characteristic of the period.
The broad circular corona supports twelve elegant candle branches, each issuing from finely cast gilt-bronze acanthus and anthemion cups. The lower section is suspended on a series of patinated and gilt-bronze rods with finely chased mounts, rising to an elaborately ornamented upper corona decorated with scrolling foliage, acanthus leaves and classical anthemion.
Of particular distinction is the sophisticated contrast between the brilliant gilding and deep patination. The two finishes are employed not merely decoratively but to articulate the architectural form and classical ornament, giving the chandelier exceptional depth, richness and presence.
The use of Greek-key, palmette, anthemion and acanthus motifs reflects the French Empire fascination with the art and architecture of antiquity. The finest examples were produced by the leading Parisian bronziers-doreurs, who supplied the Imperial Court and the great aristocratic houses of the Napoleonic period.
The exceptional quality of the casting, chasing and ornament suggests a leading Parisian workshop, with Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843) being a particularly interesting possible association. Thomire was the pre-eminent bronzier of the Empire period, celebrated for his sophisticated combination of archaeological ornament, architectural form and contrasting gilt and patinated bronze.
Although a definitive attribution to Thomire cannot presently be established, the quality and sophistication of this chandelier are consistent with the finest Parisian production of the period.
Note:
A closely related chandelier Ronald Phillips 2014 Catolugue page 146 & 147.
There is also a comparable example in the Colonial Williamsburg Collection in the Coke-Garrett House.
