Antique 19th century French Louis XVI style bronze candlestick after a model by Jean-Démosthène Dugourc. The upper part of the stem is formed from three conjoined caryatid maidens with beads in their hair and ribbons that tie up below their necks. At the junction of their shoulders and the point that each caryatid term joins are volutes that run the length of the tapering baluster candlestick stem, around which hangs a draped swag. The stem is on raised circular base with foliate swags hanging from the upper part of the base, which has three raised ribs, in between which is fluting above a border of rosettes. The caryatids supporting on their heads a finely cast vase-shaped candle nozzle. In overall good antique condition with general wear commensurate with age and use. Beautiful warm patina to the bronze. Lacking the drip pan. Stands 11 1/4" height x 5 1/2" wide.
With their triple female caryatid tapering baluster-shaped stem, these candlesticks bear close similarity to a design attributed to Jean- Démosthène Dugourc (1749-1825) in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris (illustrated in Ottomeyer and Pröschel, op. cit, p. 287, pl. 4.15.6). The drawing was included in an album of designs for furniture subsequently delivered to both Madame Elizabeth and the comte de Provence, and inscribed Dessiné par J. D. Dugourc, architecte et dessinateur Du Cabinet de Monsieur Frère Du Roi. Paris. 1790. The album depicts both executed and projected designs, several of which reflect the interest in the Arabesque and Etruscan styles that were fashionable during the early 1780s. There are various 18th and 19th century models of these candlesticks including a pair in the Wallace Collection (F174-5). Another in the Musée Carnavalet in Paris. Also a set of four, with the comte de Vaudreuil provenance, sold from the Champalimaud Collection, 7th July, Christie's, London, 2005, lot 160. It can be safely assumed that the original design for this type of candlestick was by Jean Démosthène Dugourc. One of the most famous French draughtsmen working in ornamental design during the second half of the eighteenth century, Dugourc was appointed Architecte et Déssinateur du Cabinet de Monsieur (the brother of Louis XVI) in 1780. The following year he furnished designs for costumes and decorations for the Royal Opera in Stockholm. In 1783 he was appointed Directeur des costumes à decors de l'Opéra in Paris and in that same year became Déssinateur de Garde Meuble de la Couronne.