A Pair Of Vestal Candelabra, Napoleon III Mid 19th Century .

A pair of vestal candelabra, Napoleon III.
An important pair of gilt and patinated bronze candelabras with vestals mounted on marble from the second half of the Napoleon III period. These two candelabras show two Vestals of ancient Rome. Each of them is wearing seni crines and a Stola. This is the traditional hairstyle and white tunic of the women in charge of the household and the veneration of Vesta. They carry above their heads a cushion from which emerge seven arms of light, symmetrical to the stylized acanthus scrolls supporting a hearth; itself topped with a golden wick. Each of the fireplaces is decorated with scrolling vine leaves. The Vestals stabilise the whole with their left arm for one, right for the other, their pendants languidly placed on their reeds. Each one of them rests on a circular terrace topping a black marble foot with flutes flanked by gilded pudding borders; the whole resting on a curved base punctuated with rectangular cartouches at each of the cardinal points. In ancient Rome, the Vestals or Virgins were priestesses of Vesta, the goddess of the home. The Vestals enjoyed privileges in exchange for their vow of chastity and their devotion to the goddess, who helps protect Rome from the wrath of the gods.
Dimensions: Height 76.5cm - Width 34.5cm