A LARGE PAIR OF 19TH CENTURY FRENCH GILT BRONZE FIGURAL CANDELABRA AFTER THE MODEL BY ETIENNE-MAURICE FALCONET CIRCA 1760 each modelled as a pair of nude classical maidens holing aloft a large arrangement of flowers tied with a floral garland and drapery which tumbles to the shaped bases, raised on acanthus and lobed feet, the three candle branches cast as flower heads amongst the various flowers, later drilled for electricity, 68cm high (2) This elegant, Louis XVI style model was first exhibited at the Salon du Louvre in 1761 by the important sculptor Etienne-Maurice Falconet, director of the sculpture studios at Sèvres between 1759 and 1766. The form of semi-nude nymphs as supports for candelabra refers to a design in 1761 by the French draftsman and painter, Gabriel de Saint-Aubin, and was realised in physical form by Falconet at the Salon du Louvre in the same year. Whilst this initial design was intended to be cast by the silversmith, François-Thomas Germain, it proved very popular and was realised in a manner of different mediums. Various pairs, of slightly different form, exist in some of the greatest collections in the world, including at Pavlovsk in St. Petersburg and the Royal Lazienki Museum, Warsaw. Each of the pair of candelabra is styled with two female nymphs covered with flower swags raising three candle sconces formed of buds and open flowers of carnations ‘tied’ at the base with drapes, and standing on oval bases with olive branch border mounts and acanthus edges, on corresponding reeded toupie feet. On Wednesday 20 March, we have the pleasure of offering this beautifully crafted circa 1820 Pair of French Gilt Bronze Figural Candelabra in the manner of Étienne-Maurice Falconet after a design by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin in our Belle Époque