Lot 234: w - A VERY FINE GILT-BRONZE CHANDELIER AFTER CAFFIERI, PARIS, 20TH CENTURY

with foliate scroll arms, cast with further foliage and cherubs

Jacques Caffiéri (1673-1755) who trained as a sculptor became the leading Fondeur- Ciseleur of the Louis XV period. In 1715 he was made maitre and from 1736 he was employed by the Crown, working at Versailles, Fontainebleau, Choisy, Marly and other Royal palaces. The present lot is a version of the chandelier made by Caffieri for the Château Arnet, which was moved to the Mazarine library in Paris after the revolution. The cherub holding the tower is thought to represent one of the towers featured in the arms of Madame de Pompadour. The boldly modelled branches and leaf sprays of the present model are also in keeping with the original. Other examples of chandeliers by Caffieri are in the Wallace collection in London, see 'Wallace Collection Catalaogues, Furniture', plate 37.

h.104cm.; w.84cm.