A pair of French gilt-bronze and champlevé enamel candelabra and jardinière by Ferdinand Barbedienne late 19th century

the candelabra in the neo-Grecian style, each in the form of baluster vase with squared handles issuing eight scrolled candelarms cast with acanthus leaves and berries on a square beaded fluted foliate cast base on toupie feet, decorated overall with enamel bands of arabesques, scrollwork and neo-Grecian motifs on a yellow ground, both signed F. Barbedienne, the jardinière in the form of a tazza with a removable brass liner, the front with an oval medallion above a floral swag with squared handles cast with acanthus on a trumpet foot with ribbon-tied berried laurel leaves and scrolled corbels on a rectangular beaded base inset with a panel of stylised vitruvian scrolls, the whole decorated with neo-Grecian motifs on a yellow ground, signed F. Barbedienne

Candelabra: In overall very good conserved condition. Some very minor rubbing to the gilt-bronze which is hardly noticeable. Some very minor tarnishing in places to the base. Some of the bobèches do not fit flush to the nozzle as visible from the catalogue photograph. Tazza: In overall very good conserved condition. Some minor discoloration to the liner. Very attractive detail to the casting.One acanthus spray where it joins the handle has been resoldered.
"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."

Comparative Literature:
H. Williams, Enamels of the World 1700-2000,The Khalili Collections, London, 2009, p. 73.

This impressive pair of candelabra in champlevé enamel is in the goût grec style which was popularised in the reign of Louis XVI. The whole surface is beautifully enamelled in vibrant yellow, red and blue in the neo-Grecian revival style. 

A clock garniture in the neo-Grecian style with similar decoration on a yellow champlevé enamel ground was sold in these Rooms, 15th May 2014, lot 433 (£85,000), which was almost identical to a clock garniture also in champlevé enamel in the neo-Grecian style in the Khalili Collection, op. cit., p. 73. Also see an onyx and champlevé enamel clock garniture of similar form but less elaborately decorated stated to be by Maison Servant and retailed by Ferdinand Barbedienne, which was sold Christie's, London, The Opulent Eye, 6th March 2014, lot 103 (£116,500).

FERDINAND BARBEDIENNE (1810-1892):
Having established one of France's most important foundries in 1839, Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) excelled at the masterly art of reproducing both French and Italian Renaissance sculptures. Working for many years in collaboration with the inventor Achille Collas, Barbedienne produced bronze réductions of sculptures from the Antique using a pioneering technique which allowed him to reduce works of art to an arbitrary size using a simple mathematical calculation. However, the diversity of his production was even more substantial, as his entry to the 1867 Paris Exhibition clearly testifies."BARBEDIENNE F. 30 Boulevard Poissonnière, Paris - Artistic bronzes; mantelpiece sets; chandeliers; statues; groups; artistic furniture; articles in sculptured wood and marble; articles in chased silver and repoussé gold; cloisonné enamels."

The high regard in which Barbedienne was undeniably held was formally recognised in 1850 when he was commissioned to furnish the Paris Town Hall. He received the médaille d'honeur for his efforts, presented to him at the Paris World Exhibition in 1855. A decade after this award, he was made the President of the Reunion of Bronze Makers, a post he held until 1885 and a testament to the lifelong dedication he contributed to his craft.