Object Description
These exquisite wall lights were created in the late 19th Century by the famous bronzier, Henri Vian (French, 1860-1905). These wall lights are stamped ‘HV 955’ for Henri Vian, along with ‘BY’ for the prestigious Beurdeley furniture-making workshop (French, founded 1818). Vian purchased several bronze models that were created by Beurdeley when the company closed in 1895. These lights were most likely cast from a Beurdeley model. Typical of both Beurdeley’s and Vian’s work, these lights are designed in an 18th-Century Louis XVI (Neoclassical) style.
The wall lights feature gilt bronze (ormolu) backplates which are designed to look like ribbons, tied in bows and ending in tassels. These ribbons support gilt bronze oval frames, which are crowned by wreaths. The frames contain jasperware medallions (two dark and two light blue), featuring depictions of Venus and Cupid. Each backplate supports two gilt bronze scrolled arms which terminate in wide drip-pans and capitals fitted with candle-tubes. These arms are fluted and decorated with stylised leafy vines which curl to enclose flower heads.