Pair Of Gilt Bronze Torches With Enamel Decoration. Circa 1880

Lovely Pair of Candlesticks in the shape of a column with a Corinthian capital in finely chiseled and gilded bronze; their shaft decorated with champlevé and cloisonné enamels with polychrome decoration on reserves with an ivory, midnight blue or garnet background of foliage, palmettes and foliate acanthus fleurons. Their abacus and base set with a frieze of gadroons. Quadragular base in Algerian onyx marble. Quality Parisian work attributable to the Houses of Barbedienne, Susse Frères or A.Giroux. Circa 1880. CHARMS OF ENAMEL Adopting the elegant profiles of a Corinthian column, each candlestick is covered on its shaft with a precious mesh of champlevé and cloisonné enamels. Standing out against reserves harmoniously surrounded by an ivory or midnight blue background, acanthus leafy volutes punctuated by palmettes and stylized fleurons stretch, unfold, and intertwine their jeweled foliage with the vivid brilliance of emerald green, azure blue, and garnet tones edged with powder pink. Encircled in gold, small geometric motifs evoking cabochons adorn two garnet-based bands; the latter frame and enhance the plant composition with its happy and shimmering polychromy. Arranged in a frieze, gadroons restrainedly braid the molded base as well as the abacus crowning the Corinthian capital of the column forming a torch. A marbled quadrangular base in Algerian onyx embellishes the whole. With a delightful ornamental plasticity, this small pair of Flambeaux seduces with the elegant formal sobriety of their silhouette united with charm to the preciousness of its enameled decoration of a brilliant polychromy. Of a most careful craftsmanship, these strong decorative torches are fully in line with the wake of the ornamental objects - cups, inkwells, watch holders, clocks or desk accessories, ... - happily combining the same materials (gilded bronze, champlevé and cloisonné enamel, Algerian onyx) created and distributed from the years 1860-1870 by Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892), Susse Frères or the Parisian House Alphonse Giroux. Materials: Algerian onyx marble; chiseled and gilded bronze; polychrome champlevé cloisonné enamel. Dimensions: H.: 24 cm; - Circa 1880 Very good condition