意大利銅胎鎏金吊燈，羅馬， 約1750-1770年作

the inverted bell shaped corona cast with scrolls and acanthus above six ribbed lambrequins, three of which suspend ribbon-tied berried laurel and acanthus leaf flowerhead trails supported by a winged cherub on scrolled brackets flanked by scrolls supporting a vasi-form receptacle applied with stylised scallopshells with a foliate finial, the serpentine reservoir in two sections, the upper part with scrolled corbels interposed by a scrolled boss flanked by leaves centred by the arms of Christ and the arms of St. Francis amongst clouds representing a Franciscan order surmounted by two seraphim heads amongst clouds, the lower section with three female masks with scallopshell headdress flanking floral arches with a globular finial, the whole on a stippled ground

In overall good original condition. The detail to the casting is exceptional. There is some very minor rubbing to the gilding as visible from the catalogue photograph especially to the putti and some minor surface dirt in places which can easily be cleaned off according to taste. One lambrequin has a restored break which has been resoldered. There are some very minor casting cracks, pitting and dents and small holes which are hardly noticeable and are commensurate with age and normal usage. The central suspended vase has some dents and has a crack and a small hole which is partly hidden by the scrolled support and is of a slightly more reddish colour than the rest. In the lower section, there is a small crack in the gilt-bronze behind one of the female heads. The reverse of the seraphim are incised with the number 112 on two of them that could be an inventory mark. Evidence that there were probably garlands formerly attached to the scrolls on the lower section as on the identical lantern illustrated in fig. 1.
"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."

此精心雕琢的鎏金雕刻禮堂吊燈華麗動人，珍罕不凡，與另一件很可能受喬瓦尼‧加丹尼（1646-1721）於1714年發表《多款式設計》（Disegni Diversi）啟發而創的作品相同。此燈飾是作為加丹尼作品設計的重大承傳，雖然較為側重於設計特徵，當中體現的風格也極為相似。路易‧瓦拉迪耶（Luigi Valadier）其中一件吊燈設計圖上，描繪基路伯與眾天使吹響最後審判的號角，與本吊燈之神髓如出一轍。而羅馬銅匠、鑄工兼金匠喬瑟夫·加利亞迪（Giuseppe Gagliardi）（1697-1749）的不少作品設計中也展現了與本拍品無容置疑的相似風格。此吊燈被譽為是十八世紀羅馬銅製工藝的里程傑作。燈上的天神塑像相信是由雕刻師菲利波‧德拉‧瓦萊（Filippo Della Valle）（1698-1768）製作。值得一提的是，當時的雕刻師與銅匠會在接受訂製委託時一起工作。