A French Bronze Chandelier, ca. 1835, ca. 1835

Contact Kollenburg Antiquairs BV

Dealer

Kollenburg Antiquairs BV

Price

€ 8.000 ($ 10 240 U.S. dollars)

Status

Available

Period

ca. 1835

Material

patinated and chased ormolu bronze

Description

This chandelier in an unusual form is suspended from four joints that are held by lynxes’ heads. The two-part joints are held together with cross-shaped connection-pieces shaped out of openwork C-volutes.

The chandelier has four branches on either side and two sticking up. The two parts are connected with an element that is decorated with palmettes and lotus flowers. The branches are shaped like dragons with lions heads. The eclectic decoration is inspired by different era and cultures; the composite animals are to be found on frescoes in Herculaneum; the buds, palmettes and lotuses stem from Egyptian temples; the engravings on the central element are inspired by Greek “woodbine” motives. This ‘lustre á l’antique’ is typical for the period around 1835. Designers were still incorporating the discoveries of the Napoleontic Campagnes and the excavations of Herculaneum and Pompeii in their work.

The cast bronze of this chandelier is of an exquisite quality. The fire-gilded elements contrast charmingly with the black patina.