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Signed AD on the mount
Beautiful neo-Greek chandelier in patinated bronze with golden highlights with sixteen lights. The central shaft, composed of a basin decorated with palmettes on a fluted pedestal ending with a seed, is surmounted by a Cupid shooting an arrow. The sixteen light-arms with foliage scrolls are connected to the basin by golden chains. The whole is attached to the ceiling light, decorated with ivy leaves, by three articulated rods in imitation of bamboo.
Biography :
Henry Cahieux (1825-1854), head decorator for the artistic bronze founder Ferdinand Barbedienne, was destined for a brilliant career, as testified by the works of art he sent to the Salons of 1850 and 1853. Most of these pieces were in the Grecian style, which was very fashionable at the time. Victor Champier’s article “Industrial Artists”, which appeared in the Decorative Arts Review (December 1888) echoed the genius of the artist : « Barbedienne had just lost (in 1854), taken by cholera in the prime of life, this young man with such a promising future, whose works, infused with graceful taste, showed him to be a master ». At the 1855 Universal Exhibition in Paris, his lamps which figured as the last testimony of Henry Cahieux, won a medal of honour for Barbedienne’s stand. His succession in the firm was assured by Louis-Constant Sevin (1821-1888) with great success.
A bronze factory existed in the 18th century, directed by Jean-Baptiste Maximilien Delafontaine, master foundryman born in 1750. His son Pierre Maximilien (1774-1860) succeeded him. The factory was first domiciled at 13 rue d’Orléans then, from 1824, at 10 rue Neuve-de-l’Abbaye. In the 1840s, it was Auguste Maximilien Delafontaine who was at its head at 46, rue Bonaparte, then 10, rue de l’Université in 1870. The most fruitful period of the firm corresponded to his direction. Publisher, he entrusted the execution of the bronzes to the Molz foundry, rue de Rennes. Taking up the contracts signed by Duret with the founder Quesnel, he published around 1855, among others, Le Danseur napolitain, Le Vendangeur improvisant, Jeune Pêcheur dansant la tarantella, La Tragédie, La Comédie. Its catalog of “art and furnishing bronzes” offers works by other artists including Pradier, reproductions of antique statues and various art and furnishing objects. During the sale after Barye’s death in 1876, he purchased a certain number of models, notably dogs, of which he made a few editions. The activity was continued by his own son Henri-Maximilien (?-1932) from 1884, until the closure of the company in 1905.
