Pair of 19th Century French Louis XVI Goat Heads Three-Light Wall Lights/Sconces

Object Description

Pair of large French 19th century Louis XVI goat heads three-light wall lights/sconces

A pair Louis XVI style gilt bronze three-branch wall lights, each with a backplate the lower part of which is in the form of a goat’s head resting on a foliage arabesque. The upper part of the backplate in the shape of an ivy-wrought stem being crowned by a stylized pinacle adorned with a large wavy ribbon bow, so-called Fontange ribbons. The candle arms scrolled, with foliate and eagles’ heads decoration and nozzles shaped like foliage.
Excellently chiseled and gilt pair of Louis XVI wall lights or sconces.

Object History

The pair shows elements of decoration which are inspired by designs of one of the most prominent French bronziers of the Louis XVI period like Pierre Gouthière (1732-1813). Received maître doreur in 1758, he was to become one of the most famous ciseleur-doreurs of the Louis XVI period. Gouthière frequently used the motifs of the goats’ and eagles’ heads as seen on his candelabras, sconces and chandeliers. Also, ivy-wrought stems with a crowning pinacle as well as Fontange ribbons as seen here can be observed in the work of Gouthière.

Object Literature

See: Charlotte Vignon, Christian Baulez: Pierre Gouthière Ciseleur-Doreur due Roi, New York/The Frick Collection, 2016, p. 219, no. 21
Ottomeyer/Pröschel: Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, 2 vol., Vol. I, p. 164, fig. 4.9.2

Object Condition

Very good, min. wear consistent with age and use, min. fading, – the pair of wall lights/sconces once was wired for electrification, as the holes in the nozzles indicate and could easily be wired again- detailed condition report on request

Object Details