Important Pair Of Candelabra Signed "rabiat 1756-1815" Empire Period 19th Century

Important pair of candelabra signed "Rabiat 1756-1815" in gilded and patinated bronze Empire period early 19th century. The candelabra represent two young women with brown patina dressed in antique style, the drapery is held by a double patina gilded bronze belt delicately chiseled with stars, the arms encircled with rings decorated with interlacing. Each young woman supports a basket of flowered fruits from which spring five arms of light finely chiseled with scales and acanthus leaves. They stand on a large circular base delicately chiseled with crosspieces encircled by a frieze of water flowers decorated with small flowers. Double patina gilding and original brown patina in very good condition cleaned by our workshop (formerly pierced with electricity). Our pair of candelabras is signed under each base "*Rabiat" and bears the inscription "ZE VGE" (unidentified to date). *Claude François Rabiat (1756-1815) began his studies with Etienne Vignerelle in 1769. He acquired the title of master "metal gilder" in March 1778. He ran a large workshop on rue Beaubourg, supplying the greatest bronze makers and merchants of his time, it is rare for Claude-François Rabiat to sign his works. And, if he did not supply private clients or the Garde-Meuble, he created many pieces for the big names: Thomire, Ravrio, Galle, Feuchère, André Coquille and Thémet placed orders with him and clockmakers such as Bailly, Mallet, Lépine and Lesieur. He also worked for the imperial furniture depot. After his death, his three sons continued to run the family workshop under the company name “Rabiat frères” until they each decided to continue their activity independently from 1819. Some pieces delivered for the Château de Fontainebleau by Thomire & Duterme also bear the Rabiat mark, for example a pair of wall lights delivered in 1810 for the living room of an apartment of the prince. (ref: “Pendules et bronzes d’ameublement entrers sous l'empire” page 24,26,149)