Lot 251
Pair of French Restauration Gilt Bronze Figural Candelabra, early 19th century
Lot 251 Details
Pair of French Restauration Gilt Bronze Figural Candelabra, early 19th century
modelled in the manner of André Antoine Ravrio (1759-1814), each winged putto figure standing on sphere on leaf cast bombe plinth and holding aloft torch issuing two candle branches
height 25.75 in — 65.4 cm
Estimate $3,000-$4,000
Note:
Antoine-André Ravrio (b Paris, 23 Oct 1759; d Paris, 4 Dec 1814). French bronze worker. Son of a well-known bronze-founder, he trained as a bronze worker and became a master in the bronze workers' guild in 1777. He purchased the firm of Jean-Baptiste Disnematin-Dorat, the marchand-mercier for whom he had previously worked, in 1786. Among the decorative items on Ravrio's stock-lists were lamps, girandoles, clocks and bronze mounts that he supplied to a number of the leading cabinetmakers of the day, including George Jacob (ii) and Guillaume Beneman. Ravrio also collaborated with François Rémond. Ravrio's career reached its peak in the Empire period, and his work in this period rivals that of Pierre-Philippe Thomire. Ravrio was awarded a silver medal at the Exposition de l'Industrie of 1806 in Paris. In 1810 he was appointed bronzeworker to Napoleon, for whom he worked at a number of châteaux, including those of Saint-Cloud and Compiègne, and at the Tuileries. During this period his firm may have employed as many as 100 workers. His clockcases are easiest to identify as, unlike much of his other work, they are signed. The clocks are notable for the way the faces are ingeniously integrated into the overall design. Ravrio's adopted son, Louis Stanilas Lenoir (1783-1846), continued his father's work.