- 28
A PAIR OF LOUIS XV GILT-BRONZE WALL-LIGHTS, CIRCA 1770 |
Estimate
15,000 - 25,000 EUR
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Description
- Haut. 52,5 cm, larg. 28 cm, prof. 16,5 cm ; height 20 1/2 in., width 11 in., depth 6 1/2 in.
the central female figure holding two cornucopias and topped by a basket with flowers
Provenance
French private collection
Literature
Related literature:
G. Wildenstein, « Simon-Philippe Poirier, fournisseur de Madame Du Barry », in Gazette des beaux-arts, 1962, vol. II
C. Baulez, « Le mobilier et les objets d'art de Madame Du Barry » and J-P. Samoyault, « L'appartement de Madame Du Barry à Fontainebleau », exh. cat. Madame Du Barry, de Versailles à Louveciennes, 1992
G. Wildenstein, « Simon-Philippe Poirier, fournisseur de Madame Du Barry », in Gazette des beaux-arts, 1962, vol. II
C. Baulez, « Le mobilier et les objets d'art de Madame Du Barry » and J-P. Samoyault, « L'appartement de Madame Du Barry à Fontainebleau », exh. cat. Madame Du Barry, de Versailles à Louveciennes, 1992
Condition
Illustration is accurate on page 74 and slightly too bright on page 75. Overall condition is good. Rare model with a fine chasing and its ormolu gilding. Quite dusty and will benefit from a light cleaning. Expected stains and oxydations traces.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
These wall lights evoke two distinct stylistic trends, that of the Régence with the stem and that of the Louis XVI style with the woman draped in antiquity. The assembling, the handling of the chiseling and the gilding allude to a production from the second half of the 18th century, though the model had traditionally been presented as Régence.
This assessment coincides perfectly with a very plausible comparison, that of a possible purchase by Madame Du Barry from the decorative arts dealer Simon-Philippe Poirier on 10 October 1770. A memoir by Simon-Philippe Poirier kept in the archives of Seine-et-Oise partly published by G. Wildenstein (op.cit.), explains that he supplied it to Madame Du Barry for Fontainebleau, « Une paire de bras à deux branches en bronze doré d’or moulu, model à figures et cornes d’abondance, cy 400 livres ».
Nevertheless, other possibilities are equally conceivable, since this model is found in the auction of 9 June 1777: « 151. Trois paires de bras à deux branches représentant des caryatides avec cornes d’abondance, le tout doré d’or moulu ». An identical pair of wall-lights from Madame Danièle Ricard's collection was auctioned by Sotheby's in Paris on 14 September 2017, lot 83.
This assessment coincides perfectly with a very plausible comparison, that of a possible purchase by Madame Du Barry from the decorative arts dealer Simon-Philippe Poirier on 10 October 1770. A memoir by Simon-Philippe Poirier kept in the archives of Seine-et-Oise partly published by G. Wildenstein (op.cit.), explains that he supplied it to Madame Du Barry for Fontainebleau, « Une paire de bras à deux branches en bronze doré d’or moulu, model à figures et cornes d’abondance, cy 400 livres ».
Nevertheless, other possibilities are equally conceivable, since this model is found in the auction of 9 June 1777: « 151. Trois paires de bras à deux branches représentant des caryatides avec cornes d’abondance, le tout doré d’or moulu ». An identical pair of wall-lights from Madame Danièle Ricard's collection was auctioned by Sotheby's in Paris on 14 September 2017, lot 83.