Lot 40

Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751 - 1843) (group / school) A PAIR OF EMPIRE CANDELABRA

The extremely well-crafted impressive paired candlesticks, which can also be used as wall lamps, are probably the work of Pierre-Philippe Thomir, one of the most important designers and bronzers of the French Empire (he received the title of ciseleur de l'Empereur in 1809). At the beginning of the 19th century, the French began to change their dining habits when, around 1810, the imperial court and the upper classes abandoned the earlier tradition of service à la française, where all courses were put on the table at once, in favor of service à la russe, where the food was presented one at a time. This meant that the table, devoid of numerous serving dishes, looked rather empty. As a result, the table decorations became more lavish, while at the same time the tablecloth evolved as the ideal solution for decorating the central part of a long dining table. The large bronzes offered with a top-cut basket holding swans and putti with wreaths on a round ornate fluted base were conceived as part of such a table arrangement. The basket was intended to hold fruit, candies, or floral arrangements. The top was fitted with a separate ring for candles. Analogous pairs of candlesticks/trays attributed to Thomir are now in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan or the Phoenix Art Museum. Excellent condition.