A rare set of four Italian neo-Gothic gilt-bronze candelabra with the coat of arms of the Savoy family, possibly Piedmontese circa 1850

each in the form of a winged male figure in drapery holding aloft two graduated tiers of twelve scrolled candlearms on a square base, the whole cast with leaves, each leaf cast with a cross; drilled for electricity

The arms are those of Ferdinando di Savoia, Duke of Genoa (1822-1855) impaling those of his wife Princess Elisabeth of Saxony (1830-1912), daughter of John, King of Saxony.

Ferdinand of Savoy Duke of Genoa (b. 1822,Turin-d. 1855):
He was the second son of Carlo Alberto of Sardinia and Maria Teresa of Tuscany. On the 10^th July 1848, he was offered the crown of Sicily but renounced the throne so that he could remain with his soldiers, who were preparing for war against Austria. He died aged thirty-two from tuberculosis. On his death, he had requested that his library was opened to the public and in 1877 a statue of him was erected in Piazza Solferino, Turin.

Elizabeth, Duchess of Genoa (b. 1830, Dresden-d. 1912, Stresa):
She was the second daughter of King Johann I and Princess Amalie Auguste von Bayern.  After the premature death of Ferdinando, Elizabeth married again, this time to an Italian nobleman called Niccolo Marchese Rapallo, who had worked for Ferdinando as an orderly officer. When she first arrived in Turin she was described by Cavour as 'the most superb beauty of the north.'

 

Gilding less greenish and more golden and attractive than in the catalogue photograph.They are dirty and would benefit from a light clean. Very attractive model and detail to casting. Some casting flaws and rubbing to the gilding, especially to the winged figures. Once cleaned, these will look magnificent. Very impressive large size. In overall good original condition with a good provenance.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

These candlesticks bear the coat of arms of Ferdinand of Savoy, Duke of Genoa, and his wife, Marie Elizabeth of Saxony and they can be dated between 1850, the year of their marriage celebrated  in Dresden, and 1855, when the young prince, second son of King Charles Albert and brother of King Victor Emanuel II, died.

Neo-gothic taste became popular in Piedmont during the reign of Charles Albert. In 1835, the architect Ernesto Melano started to build for the Royal Family, Le Margherie, a pavilion close to Palazzo Racconigi outside Turin, entirely in the Gothic style. Around 1840-48,  the interior was completed and filled with furniture made by the royal cabinet-maker Gabriele Capello after the drawings of the famous architect and decorator Pelagio Palagi (R. Antonetto, Gabriele Capello detto Moncalvo ebanista di due re, Torino, 2004, fig.26-37, pp.207-209).

It is not possible however, to establish with absolute certainty the Piedmontese origin of these candelabra. It is worthwhile mentioning the bronze manufactory during that period,  the most prosperous and famous in Piedmont, which was Colla and Odetti, who both worked for Palagi on his royal commissions. Palagi also employed the foundry of Manfredini, in Milan, for many sumptuous bronzes in the Royal Palace of Turin (see E. Colle, A. Griseri, R. Valeriani, Bronzi decorativi in Italia, Milano 2001, pp. 358-374).

The Duke and Duchess of Genoa were well informed and attentive to international styles and vogues: after their marriage they moved to the court in Berlin, and then visited some important cities in Germany such as Cologne, Hanover and Koblenz. Three years later, in 1853, they visited Paris and then London, greeted by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

The Dukes of Genoa resided in Palazzo Chiablese, an ancient building beside the Royal Palace of Turin, inherited by Ferdinand and he "had immediately the idea to refurbish it with all the precious objects that he so much loved" (Isnardi, cit.). Their country residence the Castle of Govone, was redecorated some years after the death of the Duke: in the auction catalogue of the Castle (1898) there is no mention of candleabra or other artefacts in the Gothic taste. The likely explanation is that the Duchess took many objects to her new residence, after the death of his young husband in 1855.

We are grateful to Roberto Valeriani for providing the above footnote.