Maison Graux-marly, Chandelier With Musician Putti, France, Circa 1860

A large, twelve-light chandelier from the Napoleon III period, made of gilded and patinated bronze. The central shaftfeatures a frieze of acanthus leaves that springs from the crownand flows into a patinated bronze sphere encircled by a motif ofolive foliage. Leaning against this sphere are four putti sculpted in the round, withpatinated bronze bodies and outstretched gilded wings. Each putto isdepicted playing a trumpet, and from the backs of their shoulders emanate bundles oflight-emitting arms extending like consoles.The richly crafted light-emitting armslight display a profusion of palmettes atthe base, giving rise toamplitude, interlaced leafy volutes, punctuated bybeaded bases, rosettes,and cut-out leather scrolls, whosechiseled details heighten the opulence through the overall composition. Each light arm culminates in a circular basin adorned with foliage motifs, acrenellated andfluted, and topped withcandles in the style of the period. Suspended from these arms aremovable, chiseled pendantsshaped like trimmings acorns

Biography 

MaisonGraux-Marly, a foundry and manufacturer active during the second half of the 19thcentury, produced remarkable artistic and decorative bronzes: fireplaceornaments, candelabras, clocks, and exquisitely crafted statues. Awarded prizes atthe World’s Fairs in Paris and London, the firm collaboratedclosely with great sculptors such as Carpeaux, Barye, andCarrier-Belleuse. Its signature or foundry mark appears in the form“GRAUX-MARLY” or “GRAUX-MARLY FRÈRES,” often accompanied by the address ofits Parisian workshops, notably “8, rue du Parc-Royal” beginning in 1860.After Jules Graux’s retirement and subsequent death, the company continued itsproduction under the direction of his sons beginning in 1880.