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RICHARD REDDING ANTIQUES |
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RICHARD REDDING ANTIQUES |
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A fine pair of Louis-Philippe gilt bronze seven-light candelabra now mounted as lamps attributed to Thomire et Cie, each with a black and gilt rimmed shade over a central upright flared and foliate wrapped candle branch with a vase-shaped nozzle and circular drip-pan surrounded by six scrolled and conformingly cast candle branches issuing from an acanthus ring heading the part fluted columnar stem terminated by gilt bronze acanthus leaves and scroll feet over a stepped shaped tripartite base with canted corners elaborately cast with acanthus leaves and anthemion Paris, date circa 1835 Height 78cm, with shades 107cm. each. Literature: Hans Ottomeyer and Peter Pröschel, “Vergoldete Bronzen”, 1986, p. 393, pl. 5.17.11, illustrating a very similar and earlier candelabrum but with a differing base by Pierre-Philippe Thomire and signed Thomire Paris of circa 1815. These imposing lights were made in Paris by the celebrated firm of bronziers, Thomire et Cie, founded by the celebrated fondeur-ciseleur Pierre-Philippe Thomire (1751-1843). By 1835 Thomire had retired, having handed the business to his two sons-in-law Louis-Auguste-Cesar Carbonelle and André-Antoine Beauvisage, under whose direction the business continued to thrive. In 1804 Thomire had purchased the extensive business of the marchand-mercier, Martin-Eloi Lignereux, which enabled him to operate on a broader basis, as a retailer of furniture and decorative objects as well as maker of bronzes and furniture. Thomire collaborated with three partners, renaming the business Thomire, Duterme & Cie, which rapidly achieved prominence and many Imperial commissions. But Thomire, like other Parisian firms suffered as a result of France’s continuing wars; so to avoid bankruptcy the firm was granted a dispensation to trade with the Prince Regent (later George IV of England). Despite their close association with the Imperial House, the firm survived Napoleon’s downfall. Soon after 1815 the partnership with Duterme was dissolved and under its new style, Thomire et Cie flourished once more under the restored Bourbons. P. -P. Thomire retired in 1823 at which point his two sons-in-law continued the business until 1852. Thomire continued to work as a sculptor and exhibited regularly at the Salon until 1834. |