18th/19th Century Pair of Russian Figural Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabra

Gilt-bronze circular pedestal on rectangular plinth, the base with neoclassical foliate frieze, the pedestal with surrounding frieze of stylized female masks with Russian-style headdresses, which are connected by draperies. Each pedestal with the patinated bronze figure of either a young man or a young woman in classical garments, each holding a baluster vase from which emerge naturalistically designed, cast and chiselled branches of leaves and roses, the rose flowers serving as bobeches for candles.

The detailed and naturalistic design of the rose branches, which are stylistically still completely indebted to the early classicism, builds a charming contrast to the strictly architectural bases, which in their severe  monumentality already refer to the Empire period. The pair of candelabra is based on the same design as a pair of Russian figure candelabra of the late 18th century, which was offered at Sotheby’s/London in November 2007 for 15.000-20.000 GBP.