A Very Fine Pair of Louis XVI Wall Lights Attributed to Pierre Gouthiere

The backplate of each three-branch wall light is cast with a large bow at the top with long streamers hanging down the full length of the plate and ending in tassles. The stems of the fluted branches are chased with acanthus and are entwined with vine leaves and grapes and bound around the centre with ribbons; the upper part of each is decorated with sprays of laurel leaves and buds, as is the upper part of the back plate above the knot. The branches have circular fluted drip pans with beaded rims and baluster shaped nozles decorated in a similar fashion. The wall lights are a transitional form between the Rococo and neo-classical styles. They are symmetrical in the arrangement of their branches, and the nozzles and drip pans have a formality to them which is typical of the later period, but the fluid use of ribbons, laurel leaves and berries is reminiscent of the earlier period. A similar but more elaborate pair are illustrated in Gilt Bronzes in the Louvre No 82 Page 163 which are also attributed to Pierre Gouthiere. An almost identical set of eight wall lights, but with only two arms were sold Sotheby’s Important French and Continental Furniture New York May 21 1992 Lot 55 from the estate of Wendell Cherry. Another identical pair with two arms was sold at Sotheby’s New York May 20 1991 Lot 38 from the collection of Jaime Ortiz-Patino. Illustrated: Partridge Fine Arts Ltd., Summer Exhibition 1996, p.107.