Description
Opposing Pair
From our Sculpture collection, we are delighted to offer this fine pair of French Empire Candelabra. The Candelabra exceptionally cast as an opposing pair of Apollo and Daphne. The stepped plinth bases beautifully executed with Swan neck corners above foliate scrollwork with a central column surmounted by minerva (Sulis Minerva). The column bases are mounted with an ormolu sphere which acts as a base to each bronze figure. Each figure holds a lyre which transforms into a five branch candelabra from a bouquet of blossoming flowers. The Candelabra are truly in the manner of Pierre-Philippe Thomire and quite possibly attributed to the French metalworking master. The pair of Candelabra date to the French Empire period which was an in the early 19th century ruled by Napoleon I 1804 to 1814.
Apollo (Phoebus) is the Greek god of healing, archery, music and arts, sunlight, knowledge, and patron of Delphi. Regarded as a great warrior and as the most beautiful of the gods.
Daphne is a nymph or huntress of Artemis. Her parentage varies, depending on the source, but it’s generally understood that her father is a river god Peneus (Ladon) and her mother was either the nymph Creusa (Gaia).
Apollo and Daphne the story takes place right after the great snake that terrorised mankind is slain by Apollo. Apollo pierced the Python with 1,000 arrows and then founded the sanctuary of Delphi atop of the Python’s dead body. This sanctuary became home to the famous oracle, Pythia, and the sacred Pythian Games were held to celebrate his victory. The winners were, at first, honoured with oak wreaths, since the laurel didn’t yet exist. Apollo goes onto spot Daphne in the woodlands and immediately falls in love with her however, Daphne took an oath of virginity and begged her father Peneus to abide by her choice, eventually after complying Peneus goes onto tell his daughter it would be near impossible for her daughter to not marry and have children due to her Devine beauty.
Daphne flees from Apollo taking him as a predator, Apollo explains that he wishes to pursue her as a lover in which Daphne rejects Apollo continually. Eros assists Apollo by giving him wings to pursue his lover and then hangs onto Daphne’s shoulders in an attempt to slow her gait. They were soon within sight of her father’s waters. Exhausted, overcome by the efforts of her escape, and sensing that she was about to be caught, Daphne ran toward the banks and cried out in aid from her father the river god “Help me father! If your streams have divine powers change me, destroy this beauty that pleases too well!” Daphnes call for aid was answered and Peneus transformed Daphne into the Laurel Tree.
Even in this state, Apollo could not help but love her. In spite of Daphne’s clear terror and fervent insistence that he leaves her be, Apollo vowed to honour her forever. He says that he will wear her leaves in his hair, will use her wood to make his bow and lyre, and that a crown made of her branches will adorn the heads of royalty and champions of game and battle.
French Empire (The First French Empire) or officially the French Republic and then the French Empire after 1809 was the empire ruled by Napoleon Bonaparte, who established French leadership over much of continental Europe from 1804 to 1814 and again very briefly in 1915.
Ormolu is the technique of applying finely ground, high-carat gold–mercury amalgam to an object of bronze. The mercury is driven off in a kiln leaving behind a gold coating. The French refer to this technique as bronze doré and in English it is often referred to as gilt bronze. It is a finishing technique which adds an overall gold look to any object without the massive cost and impracticality of making an object out of solid gold. Mercury was outlawed in the 1830’s in France however it was still used until the early 1900s.
Bronze an alloy consisting primarily of copper with approximately 12–12.5% tin and often with the addition of other metals (including aluminium, manganese, nickel, or zinc) and sometimes non-metals, such as phosphorus, or metalloids such as arsenic or silicon depending on the age of the bronze and its origin. The additions of other metals produce a range of alloys that are usually harder than copper alone and carry useful properties such as strength. The earliest known use of bronze dates to the 5th millennium BCE from Iranian plateau, the bronze mix consists of arsenical copper and copper-arsenide. The earliest tin-copper-alloy recovered is dated to circa 4650 BCE and was found in Plocnik, Serbia. It is believed to have been smelted from a natural tin-copper ore.
Lyre a stringed musical instrument part of the lute-family and consists of two arms and a crossbar with strings. The Lyre has featured on classical objects like the pair of vases above for thousands of years. They were commonly used in several ancient cultures surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. The earliest known examples of the lyre have been recovered at archaeological sites that date to c. 2700 BCE in Mesopotamia.
Measurements 67cm High x 25cm Wide x 20cm Deep (26.38 x 9.84 x 7.87 Inches)
Condition Excellent antique condition, minor verdigris on the back of one lyre
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