Pair of candelabra with sphinxes, Directoire period

Pair of chased and patinated bronze candelabra, circa 1795/1800
Dimensions: H. 47 cm Diameter: 18 cm

This rare pair of candelabra with winged sphinxes is a model that is part of what was called "return from Egypt": The decorative repertoire is inspired by many sketches of ancient Egyptian ornaments brought back by artists during the Egyptian Campaign (1798-1801) led by Bonaparte. The most famous book is "Le Voyage dans la basse et haute Egypte" by Vivant-Denon, which contributed to the diffusion of decorations inspired by Pharaonic Egypt.

Here, the sphinxes, with a brown patina, are topped with a klaft, and carry on their head a basket of fruit from which three arms of light decorated with sunflowers and pearls, connected by chains to a stem ending with seeds, originate.

The chasing of these candelabra is remarkable: fine, precise and supple at the same time. The mercury gilding is original, and is still in a very good state of preservation. Each candelabrum is fixed on a white marble base, also original, of polylobed shape and resting on six flattened ball feet.

The elegance of these candelabras is due to the quality of execution of the 6 talented craftsmen who contributed to their realization: a draftsman at the origin of the project, a sculptor who made the matrix for the foundryman, a chiseler, a gilder and a marble mason. The choice of the double patina (gilding and brown patina) associated with a white marble, indicate a particular order for an original model of high quality.