Beschreibung:

A Pair of Empire Gilt Bronze Five-Light Candelabra attributed to Claude Galle Circa 1810With central nozzle supported by a winged classical maiden flanked at each side by two candle arms. Raised on stepped rectangular base applied with a lyre at front and back and female masks at either side height 27 1/2 in.; width 11 in.70 cm.; 28 cm.Condition reportFor further information on the condition of this lot please contact DecorativeArtsNY@sothebys.com ProvenanceAlexander Douglas and Helena Chisom Thomson, Duluth Minnesota, Circa 1885Adam G. Thomson, Duluth and Miami BeachThence by descent Catalogue noteThe attribution to Claude Galle is based on the candelabra's similarity to a pair of four-light wall lights centered by a comparable female figure with raised wings, supplied by Galle to the Imperial Garde-Meuble in 1808 to the deuxième salon de l'Empereur at the Palais de Compiègne, now in the Mobilier National, Paris. The Mobilier National has a further pair of this model delivered by the marchand tapissier Darrac in 1809 for use in the bedchamber of the Empress at the Palais Rohan, Strasbourg (one illustrated in Marie-France Dupuy-Baylet, Les Bronzes du Mobilier National 1800-1870, Dijon 2010, cat. no.18, p.60). It also possesses a pair of five-light candelabra of identical model to the offered lot in gilt and patinated bronze, with a label Ministère de la Police générale Appt. de Mde La Duchesse Salon 173 indicating they were placed in the hôtel of Napoleon's notorious police minister Joseph Fouché, 1st Duc d'Otrante, formerly on the Quai Malaquais in Paris. Born at Villepreux near Versailles, Claude Galle (1759-1815) was one of the most important bronziers working in the late Louis XVI and Empire periods and a regular supplier of candelabra, wall lights, vases, urns, chenets and clock cases to the Royal and Imperial Households, many of which are still in the French national collections and exhibited at Versailles, the Grand Trianon and Fontainebleau. He trained under the bronze caster Pierre Foy in the rue du Four, taking over his workshop in 1788 and later moving the business to the Quai de la Monnaie and from 1805 at 60 Rue Vivienne. He collaborated in the late 1780s with the sculptor and Garde-Meuble designer Jean Hauré and is also known to have worked with Thomire. An identical version of this model in gilt and patinated bronze was sold Christie's New York, 23 September - 8 October 2020, lot 129, and an entirely gilt pair was sold Bonham's Los Angeles, 9 December 2013, lot 134.