Pair of French Empire bronze & gilt-bronze candelabra, signed 'Rabiat'

A rare pair of early 19th century (circa 1810) French Empire bronze and gilt-bronze candelabra of exceptional quality, signed ‘Rabiat’ - ADDITIONAL IMAGES CAN BE VIEWED BELOW:

This superb pair of candelabra originally designed by Pierre-Phillippe Thomire (1751-1843) and executed by the foundry-chaser Claude Francois Rabiat (1756-1815), Rabiat receiving a Master in 1778 and working with eminent bronziers such as Thomire, Feuchere and Galle.

The candelabra consist of a winged female ‘Victory’ or ‘Victoire’, each with superbly cast wings with draped chiton and hair of chignon style, these female figures being characteristic of the Empire period.

The superbly formed figures having raised arms, each holding aloft intricate gilt-bronze candle holders in the form of baskets of flowers with a further gilt-bronze vase shaped candle holder with flowers overhead.

The figures with slightly raised feet are supported on a spherical dome leading down to superbly chased gilt-bronze columns with square base below.   

Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751–1843) was a French sculptor and one of the most prominent bronziers or producers of ornamental patinated and gilt-bronze objects and furniture mounts of the First French Empire. 

An almost identical pair of candelabra were delivered to the Garde-Meuble by “Thomire Duterme”, these were for the living room of the apartment of the Count of Nantouillet at the Elysée Palace. 

LITERATURE: An almost identical pair in the Elysée Palace (Inventory Mobilier National GML-2884-002).

This pair of candelabra are in excellent original condition and can go straight into a home or collection.

Size:

Height: 21.5'' / 54.5cm

Width: 9.75'' / 24.75cm

Depth: 4.25'' / 10.75cm