A PAIR OF GEORGE III CARVED GILT WOOD WALL LIGHTS circa 1770

each tapered fluted back plate with an acanthus carved collar supporting a stylized urn with a shaped leaf tip carved cover and gadrooned cup with a pearl beaded molding, and supporting a pierced anthemion, the bases with pendant husks above pearl beading and graduated leaf collars above a pendant seed pod, the scrolled foliate ornamented candle arms supporting vase shaped candle holders with foliate carved drip pans.  Re-gilt.

Christie's, New York, April 16, 1998, lot 142

Due to the advent, first of kolza oil and glass, and then by electricity, wall lights such as the present examples have rarely survived as their fragile design was unsuitable for conversion to any other medium other than candle power.