Pair Of Gilded Bronze Candlesticks By H. Picard, Napoleon III Period

Pair of gilded bronze candlesticks in the Louis XVI style,made during the Napoleon III era and signed H. Picard.
The decoration, inspired by the designs of CharlesDelafosse (1734–1789), is richly adorned with flowers, acanthus leaves,and garlands of pearls.
The fluted central shaft is embellished with three lion heads connected by a garland.
In thecenter, a fire bowl holds the three finely decorated candle arms.
The ensemble rests on afluted pedestal 15 cm in diameter.
Very good condition.
Weight: 6.5 kg per pair.
*Henri Picard (1840–1890), Parisian bronze artistAccording to the National Archives, the bronze artist Henri Picard, a foundryman and gilder,set up shop at 6 Rue Jarente from 1831 to 1839 before moving to 10 Rue de laPerle, where he remained until 1864. He supplied decorative objects for the smallapartments of Napoleon III at the Louvre. He was known for the quality of histableware and mantelpiece ornaments, particularlyhis use of gilded and silvered bronze. A significant pair oftwelve-candle candelabras by Picard is housed in the Louvre Museum.