{"product_id":"exceptional-pair-of-french-gilt-bronze-and-crystal-wall-sconces-with-ram-s-head-decoration-late-19th-century-19-x-211-4","title":"Exceptional Pair of French Gilt-Bronze and Crystal Wall Sconces with Ram’s-Head Decoration, Late 19th-Century- 19\" x 21¼\"","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThis exceptional pair of late 19th-century French gilt-bronze wall sconces, in the Louis XVI taste, combines generous scale with lavish ornament. Each sconce carries six candle lights: five scrolling branches radiate around the central body, while a sixth is raised above and set closer to the backplate, giving the composition an architectural, tiered effect. The bronze is substantial and finely cast and chased, with scrolling arms, classical urn-form candle cups and a particularly elaborate decorative repertoire of ram’s heads, floral garlands and ribbon bows. Numerous faceted crystal beads and large pendants are suspended in generous swags between the arms, catching the light and adding movement and brilliance to the gilded bronze. The sconces are not electrified and are intended for candles, though they could be professionally electrified by a qualified specialist if desired.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe decoration looks back directly to the great French bronzes of the late 18th century, when ram’s heads, garlands, urns, ribbons and acanthus became characteristic motifs of the Louis XVI repertoire. Comparable motifs appear on documented royal wall lights of the 1780s, including examples associated with the Château de Saint-Cloud. Here, those neoclassical elements are interpreted with the greater richness favored in the late 19th century, particularly through the cascading crystal chains and pendants, which give the pair a rich, jewel-like quality.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eTheir generous scale and strong symmetry would make them especially effective flanking a mirror, fireplace, important painting, or placed on either side of a bed in a richly layered bedroom. The gilt bronze and crystal animate the wall even when unlit, while the substantial weight, crisp chasing and abundance of ornament give the pair a real sense of quality. The aged gilding and gently timeworn crystal preserve the character expected of antique pieces. \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition and patina consistent with age.\u003cbr\u003eEach measures approx. 19\" high x 21¼\" wide x 13\" deep \u003cbr\u003eEach measures approx. 48cm high x 54cm wide x 33cm deep\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chez Pluie","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54802218582354,"sku":"25920","price":12995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1166\/6698\/files\/DSC08194-Modifier.jpg?v=1790082211","url":"https:\/\/www.chezpluie.com\/products\/exceptional-pair-of-french-gilt-bronze-and-crystal-wall-sconces-with-ram-s-head-decoration-late-19th-century-19-x-211-4","provider":"Chez Pluie","version":"1.0","type":"link"}