An Impressive Pair of Napoléon III Gilt-Bronze Figural Torcheres

Object Description

An Impressive Pair of Napoléon III Gilt-Bronze Figural Torcheres by Goelzer and Poumaroux, Paris.

French, Circa 1890.

Signed to the plinths ‘A. GOELZER & POUMAROUX, PARIS’.

These impressive chased and patinated bronze torcheres are each modelled as a child therm figure holding aloft a vase decorated with floral garlands, issuing a flambeau shade. The figures are raised on a tapering square section volute supports with trailing foliate decoration and finely cast lion heads. The bases with four scrolling acanthus feet put down on a lobed plinth.

Object History

Maison Goelzer was founded by Phillipe Goelzer (1816-1881), in Paris in the first half of the nineteenth century and specialised in light fixtures and gas engineering. Goelzer was almost certainly joined in the business in the last quarter of the century by his nephew Achille Henri Goelzer (b.1850) and his son Albert Goelzer (b.1857). Achille Henri was recorded in 1878 as a manufacturer of gas appliances at 182, rue Lafayette while Albert was recorded in 1885 as a sculptor also at the same address.

Éditions du Génie Civil, Vol. 1 published in 1880, records the formation of the partnership of A. Goelzer and Poumaroux, fabricators of lighting fixtures, bronzes and gas engineers at the same address.

Goelzer & Poumaroux amongst other important commissions are recorded as supplying the grand chandelier for L’Opéra d’Alger in 1883.

Object Literature

‘Éditions du Génie Civil et de la Métallurgie Tour Palerme, Vol. I’ (1880); p. 375.

Object Details