Pair of candlesticks by Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) based on a design by Edouard Lievre (1829-1886).
Ormolu and patinated bronze.
Circa 1880.
Signed F.BARBEDIENNE on the base.
Height 29 cm
This pair of patinated bronze candlesticks presents a plain baluster shaped shaft around which a dragon is wrapped. They rest on a tripod base with elephant heads. The bowl has an openwork decoration of vegetal motifs.
Edouard Lievre collaborated with Ferdinand Barbedienne notably for the creation of pieces of Asian and orientalist inspiration. Modernity was the taste for exoticism, mixed with an abundant imagination that Lievre expresses through high quality stylistic compositions and collaboration with the greatest Parisian houses such as de Sormani, Christofle and Barbedienne.
This Chinese-inspired decorative repertoire can be seen in same design of dragons wrapped around two double-bodied pieces of furniture in the Musée d'Orsay. The elephant-headed base can also be seen on a pair of candelabra sold at Christie's London, September 29, 2005, lot 118 and a planter sold at Christie's New York, April 11, 2007, lot 42.
