Pair of candelabra with musical cherubs

Dimensions: approx. H x W x D: 40 x 22 x 20 cm

Description:
This extraordinary pair of French candlesticks was designed in the opulent and playful Rococo style. The Rococo style was popular in the mid-18th century during the reign of King Louis XV and was characterised by ornate surfaces, asymmetry and naturalistic forms. Works of the period often contained mythological themes depicted in a light-hearted manner, with their deeper meaning usually only accessible to the educated elite.

The centrepiece of the candlesticks on offer here are naturalistically shaped trees surrounded by cheerful putti playing music.
The oak, recognisable by its leaves and acorns, has always been a symbol of strength and longevity. Here it is most likely used as a representation of the tree of life, embodying the cyclical nature of existence.
Three winding branches extend from each trunk, each with a lush blossom that serves as a candlestick.
This highly symbolic depiction is a deliberate choice: The blossoming tree, symbolising life and the passage of time, is reflected in the candles, which subtly refer to the mortality and transience of life.

Two putti are grouped around the trunk, each depicted in joyful movement. Two figures wear garlands of grapevines with bunches of grapes, alluding to Bacchus, the god of wine and revelry. The instruments - horn, triangle, hand cymbals and panpipes - emphasise the theme of celebration and the magic of an idealised rural paradise. Each instrument has its own symbolic meaning: the horn stands for hunting festivity, the triangle for childlike playfulness, the cymbals for bacchanalian rites and the panpipes for Arcadian peace and rural idyll.
The overall composition of these candelabras is reminiscent of an idyllic garden or forest scene, a vision of cheerful simplicity and escapism that was intended for aristocratic clientele.

The finely gilded bronze elements are of beautiful quality. The bark, leaves, acorns and flowers have naturalistic textures, while the putti are depicted with excellent anatomical detail and expressive, cheerful faces.
Each candelabra is mounted on a base made of Rosso Levanto marble. This stone from northern Italy has been quarried in the Liguria region since the Middle Ages and is prized for its fine white veining and shades of red, grey and dark green. The plinths each rest on four gilded, acorn-shaped feet, which allude to the natural motifs above.

Interesting facts:
In the middle of the 19th century, there was a renewed interest in the French Rococo style, which led to a so-called Rococo Renaissance. In addition to Rococo, numerous other historical styles also came back into fashion at the same time, or over the course of a few years. This period is referred to as "historicism".

Condition:
Cleaned condition with age-appropriate rubbing of the gilding.
There is an old break in one of the two marble bases, which is clearly recognisable from the underside in one of the photos, but can only be seen from the front and top on closer inspection.

Price: 3400,-€ for the pair