Pair Of Candlesticks. Metal, Enamel. Limoges, France, 19th Century.

Pair of candlesticks. Metal, enamel. Limoges, France, 19th century.
They have defects.
Pair of metal candlesticks decorated with polychrome enamels on the outside, each with an octagonal base that begins with a step and rises gently to the axis, which has discs and moldings between jar shapes, ending in tubular candlesticks with a mouth that extends outwards in a smooth molding. Throughout the piece, there are vegetal decorations in relief of clearly classical influence, interspersed with medallions of male profiles in grisaille on the upper part and in the round on the base. Likewise, we can observe scrolls and vegetal, geometric and architectural motifs without relief, in a golden tone. These tondos of the base show a crowned heraldic shield supported by two quadruped animals, and figurative elements of three quarters, identified with the name of the character represented in Latin. Thus, we see "Cephalus", "Lavrore" and "Adonis". In Greek mythology, Cephalus was the lover of Eos, goddess of the dawn, condemned by Aphrodite to love only mortals. Adonis was the lover of Aphrodite, eternally young, symbolizing death and the annual renewal of vegetation, and whose nature was linked to the calendar. This pair of candlesticks is closely inspired by a candlestick that the Louvre Museum in Paris (where it is kept, inventory RFML.OA.2022.2.7) considers to have been made in the mid-16th century in Paris or Sèvres (France) and undoubtedly attributed to the master enameller Julien Robillard (active around 1850-1880). The inspiration from the models and motifs of the Italian Renaissance is evident. -
Size: 12.5x12.5x15.5 cm