Pair Of 19th-century Antique Neoclassical Gilt-bronze Door Sconces Featuring A Woman And A Cornucopia

Pair of decorative candlesticks or candle holders in gilded bronze and white marble, in the Louis XVI / Directoire style, 19th-century work.

Each piece features a female figure draped in the classical style, wearing a flowered conical cap that can hold a candle. The figures are rendered in a graceful contrapposto pose: one leg bears the body’s weight, while the other is released beneath the drapery; the pelvis is slightly shifted, the torso is tilted, and the raised arm complements the vertical line of the conical cap. This serpentine line lends the silhouettes a very effective sense of movement, blending classical inspiration with neoclassical taste.

The drapery, drawn diagonally across the torso and then tied around the hips, emphasizes the body’s shape and complements the overall slender form. The updo, floral crowns, raised arms, and fluted cones reinforce the Louis XVI/Directoire style, which was revived in the 19th century in decorative bronze pieces for fireplaces, consoles, and dressers.

The white marble bases are embellished with gilded bronze mounts: front plaques featuring relief depictions of cupids, rows of pearls, fluted friezes, small spindle-shaped feet, and decorative galleries. The gilding has a rich, luminous appearance with beautiful depth of tone, reflecting the high quality of the chiseling work from a very skilled workshop.