A PAIR OF LARGE EMPIRE PARCEL-GILT, WHITE-PAINTED AND CARVED TORCHÈRES, AFTER A DESIGN BY CHARLES PERCIER AND PIERRE FONTAINE circa 1805

Didier Aaron, Paris

With scattered age and construction cracks, dents and abrasions with largest age crack running vertically on upper section of one. Carving with small restored breaks, chips, some losses and abrasions. A few restored breaks and construction crack to body; not extensive. Redecorated; paint and gilding with rubbing, some losses, minor lifting and surface dirt. In good condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The design for this large pair of torchères was almost certainly conceived by the most celebrated architects and draughtsmen of the Empire, Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine. Directly inspired by ancient Roman models, which were originally used to support oil lamps with several lights, these pieces are the purest and most emblematic examples of Empire design, both in function and design. They closely relate to Bacchic candelabra dating from the second century A.D., a prime example of such was excavated near Naples in 1777 and sent to Paris in 1798. With its overall similar form, same fluted lobes, acanthus-clad base and fish scale pattern, this ancient work is particularly close to the torchères offered here. It is highly possibly that the creator of this pair observed the ancient model in person and was strongly influenced by its design. Percier and Fontaine were the preeminent proponents of the Roman revival and the 1827 edition of their Recueil de décoration intérieure includes numerous pieces that show many similarities with these torchères in their function, form and design. In fact, a giltwood torchère of similar size made for Monsieur D. (Amiral Dumanoir) and intended to support a girandole depicted in plate 23 has an identical upper section as the ones here. Another torchère, designed for Monsieur J. in Paris, in plate 4 is raised on a very similar base decorated with volutes, paw feet terminating in acanthus and ram's heads that are virtually identical to the ones found on this pair. The present pair of torchères thus appear to be an amalgamation of these two designs, and can be attributed to Percier and Fontaine.

Related torchères of this exceptional size include a set of eight executed by Marcion circa 1810 for the Tuileries; see Denise Ledoux-Lebard, Les Ébénistes du XIXème Siècle, Paris, 1984, p. 465, and a pair of ormolu torchères delivered by Thomire in 1811 for the Grand Cabinet of the Emperor in the Tuileries. Interestingly, the Thomire torchères were originally projected to be produced in giltwood by Jacob Desmalter at the cost of 78,000 francs; see Pierre Arizzoli-Clémentel, Le mobilier de Versailles, chef-d'oeuvre du XIXe siècle, Dijon, 2009, pp. 262-165.