A Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Six-Light Chandelier ‘aux Termes’
Attributed to Emmanuel-Alfred (dit Alfred II) Beurdeley, Paris.
Modelled with three caryatid term figures holding spiral branches issuing candle nozzles. The whole executed in exceptionally finely cast gilt-bronze with beautiful matte and burnished gilding. The bowl in blue-painted tole.
France, Circa 1880.
The prototype for this chandelier dates to the end of the eighteenth century, is attributed to the bronzier François Rémond and is in the Nissim de Camondo museum in Paris (Inv. CAM 146) and was offered in 1808 by Napoleon to to the French statesman Cambaceres for his Parisian residence, the present Hôtel de Roquelaure. Another, dated to circa 1785, is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (1972.242).
This example is attributed to the celebrated ébéniste and bronzier Maison Beurdeley, owing to the fine quality of the gilt-bronze and in relation to a drawing for the model which is held in the Beurdeley archives in the library of the Musée des Arts Decoratifs, Paris.
The Beurdeley family were a flourishing dynasty of three generations of fine quality cabinetmakers working from 1818 to 1895. The firm was particularly well known for its exceptional metalwork, most commonly basing their designs on important eighteenth century examples. Their mercurial gilding and hand chasing are often of such a high standard that it is difficult to distinguish them from late eighteenth century work.
By appointment only.
