Pair E.F. Caldwell Marble & Bronze Candelabra Torchieres
This matching pair of 64" (162 cm) tall torchieres from Edward F. Caldwell are crafted from carved marble and feature neoclassical, figural gilded and patinated bronze candlearms with serpent motifs and seashell drip pans, modeled after designs by Jean Leon Gerome (1824-1904). The marble pedestals feature carved floral, fish and swan bird motifs and rest upon gilt bronze platforms. The candles originally held Tiffany favrile glass shades based on a similar design by Caldwell found in the Caldwell digital archives at the Smithsonian Institution. Such shades could certainly be sourced to fit this pair of candelabra. The bronzes are marked "Gerome" and "L.C. Tiffany".
In the Caldwell archives is a very similar candelabra (shown here) which was made for Philip Lehman for his apartment at 7 West 54th Street in New York, sometime between 1902 and 1905. Philip Lehman (1861-1947) was the co-founder of the investment bank, Lehman Brothers. He began collecting artwork in 1911 and left the bulk of his collection to his son, Robert (1891-1969). The collection was donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art upon his death in 1969, and forms part of the permanent exhibition in the Robert Lehman Wing of the Metropolitan which opened in 1975. The figural, patinated bronze candlearms on this lamp are identical to ours, but the marble pedestals feature less ornate carved decoration. The fixtures are not wired, but we may add sockets and wiring prior to shipment for a modest fee.
