Pair Of Gilt Bronze Empire Style Wall Sconces After Claude Galle

Large pair of Empire style wall sconces with Diana masks after Claude Galle, circa 1900. Pair of four-light sconces in chased and gilded bronze. The arrow-shaped base is adorned with a Diana mask wearing a crescent moon within a radiant sun motif, an attribute of Apollo, symbolizing night and day. The four hunting-trumpet-shaped arms are held together by a lion mask. This model was made based on two pairs of wall sconces delivered in 1806 by Claude Galle to the Château de Fontainebleau, where they can still be seen (delivered by Galle Bronzier on September 21, 1806, for the grand reception room of the French State Secretariat at Fontainebleau: "2 pairs of arms at 288 francs with 4 lights, 576 francs" "four bronze fireplace arms...") and two pairs of wall sconces delivered by Claude Galle in 1809 for the dining room of the Grand Trianon at Versailles. They remained in this room until 1837, then they were moved to the study of the King and Queen of the Belgians, formerly Napoleon I's Breakfast Room, where they are still kept (delivered by Galle on December 23, 1809, for the dining room of the Grand Trianon: "Two pairs of arms with arrows, Diana's head holding four lights, chased and matte gold"). (Inv. T 400C). Our wall lights have been wired. The wires and sockets absolutely must be changed as they are not up to code and probably do not work. Height 62 cm