Pair Of Neoclassical Russian Girandoles / Table Candelabra With Crystal And Blue Opaline Glass

Elegant pair of Russian Neoclassical table candelabra dating from the late 18th century (circa 1790–1800).

The design of this pair of candelabra is inspired by the form of a frozen fountain.
Each girandole is centred around a cut-crystal obelisk and adorned with garlands of faceted almond-shaped crystal pendants and pear-shaped crystal drops. The reflections of the crystal strands, combined with the repeated refraction of light within the obelisk, create an optical illusion suggesting that the obelisk represents a column of water shooting upwards, which then fragments into droplets as it cascades down into the basin of the fountain.

The frame is executed in fire-gilt bronze, with chased bronze candleholders and drip pans. The gilding shows signs of wear.
The central vase in blue opaline glass rests on a white marble base by means of a gilt-bronze socle.