A set of six Empire gilt bronze figural candlesticks

A superb set of six Empire gilt bronze figural candlesticks, each of herm form, with a vase-shaped socket supported on three classical female heads, each wearing a veil and floral headdress and beads around their necks above a tapering stem headed by a foliate band supported on three pairs of feet upon a spreading circular foot cast with an anthemion band

Paris, date circa 1810
Height 27 cm. each.

Literature: Hans Ottomeyer and Peter Pröschel, “Vergoldete Bronzen”, 1986, p. 326, pls. 5.1.6 and 5.1.7, respectively illustrating a similar candlestick with three female herms circa 1810 and a design for a similar candlestick with fluted stem but less ornamentation and a ball-shaped socket, from a sheet in a trade catalogue, now in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris.

Candlesticks of this style were very fashionable among Parisian society, circa 1810. Varients of this form featured classical Grecian and Roman female heads as well as those reflecting the vogue for ancient Egypt. Popularity for this design was enhanced by puplications for similar designs appearing in catalogues of the period which were used by the Parisian bronziers.