Pair of candlesticks

A pair of candlesticks «return to Egypt» in patinated and gilt bronze. On a circular base in bronze patinated, decorated with two dogs chasing a stag, a pedestal stands supported by three lion's paws flanked by wings, in giltbronze. The pedestal is decorated with two eagles and a cock, it supports a female figure, with her arms crossed and dressed in antique fashion. The figure itself supports a nozzle decorated with lotus leaves in giltbronze.
Empire far from arresting the egyptomania fashion, causes its rise, thanks to the impulse given by the Egyptian expedition (1798 - 1801). Indeed, this expedition helped to maintain the «fashion of Egypt» but gave it also a strong new start.
There was no break in egyptomania the late 18th century and the triumph, rewarding the Bonaparte's campaign, may explain the growing number of monuments, decorations and objects linked to Egypt that flooded France. The egyptomania was strongly implanted in the decorative arts, particularly in the lighting area as it is here, with this pair of candlesticks.


Bibliography:J-M Humbert, l'Egyptomanie dans l'art Occidental, Paris, 1989, ed. Acr, p 26