Description
French Late Bronze Dore
From our Decorative collection, we are pleased to offer this pair of French Louis XIV style ormolu candelabra by Henry Dasson, dated 1880.
Each candelabrum is cast in gilt bronze (ormolu) with a central hexagonal column supporting six scrolling candle arms, arranged in a tiered formation around a baluster stem. The columns are richly detailed with alternating panels showing classical objects, animals and scrolling foliage, culminating in a flamed finial. The lower sections of each column are mounted on shaped bases decorated with stylised shells and acanthus leaves, designed to provide visual weight and support to the structure. Both pieces are finely cast with exceptional surface detail, retaining their original fire gilding and fitted with the original candle sconces. Each candelabrum is signed Henry Dasson to the foot and dated 1880, confirming the maker and period. Henry Dasson (1825 to 1896) was a leading Parisian bronzier and ébéniste, celebrated for his refined interpretations of 17th and 18th century French decorative arts. His work was exhibited at the Exposition Universelle and remains highly regarded for its technical quality and design.
A striking and substantial pair of 19th century French ormolu candelabra by a major maker, offering decorative scale and historical importance.
Provenance
Private Estate Vienna, Austria – Galleria Camiciotti, Florence, Italy
Galleria Camiciotti
is located in Florence Italy and has been offering strict French furniture and objects since 1967. Originally founded by Ugo Camiciotti his grandson Stefano now runs the Gallery known as a little corner of France in the heart of Florence.
Henry Dasson (c. 1825–1896)
was a nineteenth century Parisian maker of gilt-bronze mounted furniture. He started his career as a bronze sculptor before moving into cabinetmaking. This allowed a large dominance over other furniture makers of the time due to his extremely high quality bronze work. Dasson is regarded as one of the best and most influential furniture makers of the second half of the 19th century.
Ormolu
is the name given to a gilding technique which consists of applying a finely ground high-carat gold–mercury amalgam to an object of bronze. The mercury is driven off in a kiln with extreme heat leaving behind a gold coating. Also known as bronze doré in French or gilt bronze in English. Around 1830, legislation in France had outlawed the use of mercury for health reasons however it was continued to be used until 1900s. This process has generally replaced today by electroplating gold over base substrate.
Bronze
is 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.
Louis XIV (1638-1715)
known as Louis the Great and the Sun King was King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715. His verified reign of 72 years and 110 days is the longest of any sovereign.
Candelabra
is a candle holder with multiple arms that may be placed on any surface.
Measurements
65.5cm High x 36cm Wide x 36cm Deep (25.8 x 13.8 Inches)
Condition
Very Good, the candelabras are in untouched condition with the original gilding to the bronze, there is rubbing in areas consistent with the dateline from cleaning.
