Object Description
Pair of very large antique Japanese Imari porcelain and ormolu candelabra
Porcelain: Japanese, 18th Century
Ormolu: French, Mid-19th Century
Height 260cm, diameter 86cm
This exceptional pair of antique candelabra showcases a remarkable marriage of French and Japanese artistry. Grand in both scale and design, they embody the 19th century taste for blending Eastern and Western aesthetics. During this period, Japanese porcelain was frequently exported to Europe, where it was enriched with elaborate gilt-bronze, or ormolu, mounts in the French decorative style – an influence clearly reflected in this exquisite duo.
Each candelabrum features a body crafted from fine Imari porcelain, originating from Japan’s famed Arita kilns. Celebrated for its vivid palette of cobalt blue underglaze with iron-red, gold, and other coloured enamels, Imari porcelain first captivated European collectors in the early 1600s. The surfaces of these examples are richly decorated with dynamic scenes enclosed within black borders, surrounded by intricate blue scrollwork and vibrant floral motifs in red and gold – hallmarks of the style’s opulent visual language.
The porcelain bodies gently taper into elongated necks, crowned with ornate gilt-bronze mounts that branch into multiple scrolling candle arms. Each arm is adorned with delicately cast foliage and flower details, ending in elegantly modelled drip pans and candle holders.
Supporting the candelabra are beautifully cast ormolu bases resting on scrolling feet, adorned with vine leaves and clusters of grapes, a classical nod to Bacchus, the Roman deity of wine and festivity. The ensemble is completed by shaped wooden plinths, designed to elevate and emphasise their striking presence.
Merging Japanese artistry with French opulence, this distinguished pair of candelabra perfectly captures the cosmopolitan spirit of 19th-century decorative art. A statement piece of refined taste, it would make a sophisticated focal point in any elegant interior.