Object Description
A Remarkable Pair of Ormolu-Mounted Marble Candelabra
By Sormani of Paris
After the originals by Jean-François Lorta (1752-1837)
Residing at the Louvre
Constructed from the unusual combination of pure white marble and gilt bronze; the magnificent candelabra modelled as Antique-style female figures, one with the floral wreath representing Spring, and the other having the attributes of Autumn with grapes in her hair; each standing on a porphyry and bronze pedestal bordered by a laurel torus, each figure effortlessly carrying a fluted marble torch enriched with gilt bronze cabling, palmettes, beads and culots; the whole issuing three large acanthus scrolls holding rich swags of flowers and fruit with foliate nozzles and beaded bobèches, in the centre, on three winged female sphinxes, stands Apollo’s tripod. The marbles signed “Joan Fr Lorta sculp. 1788” and bearing the maker’s stamp “Sormani Paris.” Recently electrified.
French, circa 1860