Object Description
French Empire style ormolu and bronze chandelier
French, 19th Century
Height 100cm, diameter 64cm
This chandelier is a beautiful example of the Empire style. The chandelier is crafted from bronze, which has been both gilt and patinated to achieve a beautiful black and gold tonal palette. The design of the chandelier is classically inspired: the main drum, from which the light branches spring, is imitative of Roman era oil lamps, while the gilt bronze mounts throughout—from the Apollo head masks that comprise the crown, to the winged figures set between the light branches—are instantly evocative of the classical past.
The chandelier features three pairs of light branches, each light branch crafted from scrolled patinated bronze, mounted with gilt bronze acanthus leaves, and terminating in a gilt bronze candle holder.