A Pair of Empire Ormolu ‘Vestals’ Candelabra attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire
On a patinated bronze base decorated with ormolu appliques representing alternating torches and vestals, other vestals support a sphere. It carries three candle arms composed of a wolf's head spitting out a foliage motif on which rests the binet. A shaft finished by a binet surmounts the sphere.
This pair of candelabras is based on the vestal with crossed arms model created for a series of pairs of torches delivered by Thomire-Duterme to the palace of Fontainebleau in 1809 and destined for the small apartment of the Empress.
The wolf heads spitting out the candle arms represent an uncommon motif that has also been attributed to Thomire.
