Balzac: Rare Pair Of Toilet Candlesticks In Solid Silver, Paris 1765, Coat Of Arms

An extremely rare pair of Louis XV period solid silver toilet candlesticks by the prestigious Jean-François Balzac. Each candlestick rests on a base with a filleted border, also engraved with a coat of arms (Chaillet family?) surmounted by a Count's coronet. The complete set includes its original candle cups in the correct pattern and is well hallmarked (bases, under the shades, interiors of the cups and candle cups) with the charge and discharge marks for Paris 1762-68, the guild mark for Paris 1765 (a crowned B), and the marks of the master silversmith Jean-François Balzac (JFB and a shell/his second mark), who was received in 1749. He began his apprenticeship with François Marteau, silversmith to the King at the Louvre galleries. His pieces are always of very high quality; these can be found in major collections and museums (an oil cruet is featured in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris). A rare and genuine pair of Louis XV period toilet candlesticks (distinguished by their small size) in good condition and complete with their original bobeches, made by the prestigious maker JF Balzac. An exceptional set to discover through the attached photos... Please disregard any reflections in the photos. Height (without bobeches): 15 cm Height (with bobeches): 15.5 cm Total gross weight: 743.6 grams