Pair of Putti Torcheres by A. Durenne A-E Carrier-Belleuse, France, Circa 1880

A pair of two patina bronze torcheres attributed to V. Paillard. Each modelled as a pair of putti holding aloft a large foliate shaft issuing eleven berried-acanthus scrolled branche...

Signed Carrier et H Journet et Cie, 24 bd des Italiens, Sté des Onyx and numbered 2326 Diameter Base : 44 cm (17,3 in.) ; Diameter bowl : 49 cm (19,3 in) Important and rare circular...

A similar model presented at the 1855 Paris Universal Exhibition Total height : 154 cm (60 5/8 in.) ; Width : 33 x 33 cm (13 x 13 in.) Cup : height 17 cm (6 ¾ in.) Beautiful pair of bronze stands also named Bamboo candelabra. Each rests on three claw feet adorned with lion heads and separated with palms. A bamboo shaped shaft arises from this tripod and is topped with three buds supporting a circular red griotte marble top on which stands a cup in the Ancient style decorated with ivy. The sobriety of the decoration enhances the quality of the bronze cast and the patina shades. The small chains falling from the top animates this work of a sleek design. The model : The design of these stands, inspired from Ancient tripods, is a well-known model in Ferdinand Barbedienne’s production as it was reused many times by the bronze-caster. Designed by the head-decorator Henri Cahieux, this model was edited by the Barbedienne Company as soon as 1855, named Ancient candelabra lamp-holder h. 1m35 and was sold 440 francs. From 1875, these stands were commercialised under the name Bamboo candelabra, tripod, lamp-holder and were offered in three heights : 1m90, 1m70 and 1m35. This model of stand could then be found in all catalogues of the Barbedienne Company. This pair of candelabras allows us to see how F. Barbedienne offered during decades a range of furniture from the designs of his decorator. This type of stand could be seen in different interior decorations of the Second Empire A model similar to ours was presented by the Barbedienne Company at the 1855 Universal Exhibition. For this occasion Empress Eugénie bought it for her toilet at Saint-Cloud Castle. A watercolor by Fortuné de Fournier made in 1860 shows them, set on both sides of a cheval mirror made by the Fourdinois Company. (see photo attached) This model pleased the Empress so much that she ordered two other pairs in 1858 for her boudoirs at Compiègne and Fontainebleau Palaces. Otherwise similar stands took place in the Pompeiian house built in 1856 by the architect Alfred Normand (1822-1909) for Prince Napoléon. Several pictures and engravings of this house show us these candelabras used...

Rare pair of Greek style floor lamps made in patinated bronze attributed to G. Servant, each surmounted of a frosted glass globe engraved of stars and a Greek motif frieze. The body of the vase, decorated with Greek style patterns such as palmets, Greek motif frieze and water leaves, stands on a shaft decorated with deer heads. Fine chains are connected to a delicate butterfly. The set is based on tripod legs with lion claw feet alternating large palmets. Height : 183 cm (72 in.) ; 213 cm (83 3/4 in.) with glass shades ; Diameter : 43 cm (19 2/3in.) Georges Emile Henri Servant (1828-c.1890), who took over his father in 1855 at their foundry, rue Vieille-du-Temple, in Paris, specialized in the production of neo-Egyptian style clocks, very popular in France since 1860’s, and also the making of Greek style decorative objects. He drew considerable attention to the high quality of his bronzes at the 1855 Paris Universal Exhibition and then at the 1862 London Exhibition. At this time Servant exported up to 40% of his production, principally to the United States, where for instance, his clocks were sold with great success by Louis Tiffany Inc. or Hamann & Roche of New York. But his success came really at the 1867 Paris Universal Exhibition, where he was awarded a gold medal for his neo-Greek and Egyptian works (Les Merveilles...