Pair Henry Dasson Gilt Bronze and Marble Figural Candelabra

This lovely pair of ormolu bronze candelabra from the Paris studio of Henry Dasson (1825-1896), after the original model by Philippe Caffieri, circa 1820-30, feature the prominent figures of cherubs on a rocky base with gadrooning, blowing a horn and holding foliate scrolling branches with three candle arms, and are mounted upon white marble pedestals with twisted ribbon motif.  Signed and dated 1882, and later drilled for use as lamps with drip pans added later.  Measures:  19 x 9.5 x 7 in; 48 x 24 x 18 cm. Provenance: Christie's Sale 1772, New York, May 17, 2006, Lot 122, $15,000-$25,000 estimate, $12,000 hammer.

A contemporary of Paul Sormani and Francois Linke, Dasson is recognized as one of most important French ébénistes and bronziers of the last quarter of the nineteenth century. He participated in the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1878, was made Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur in 1883, and won the Grand Prix Artistique at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1889.

According to Christie's, this candelabra model was a favorite among English collectors and a number of the eighteenth century examples that survive in English country house collections were most probably sold by the marchand-mercierDominique Daguerre, Poirier's successor, who came to London in 1787 at the invitation of the Prince Regent. The rights to this model may originally have belonged to Poirier who delivered to Madame du Barry in 1770 'une paire de girandoles à trois branches en bronze doré d'or moulu ornées de figures de porcelaine de France 624 livres'. The model was subsequently frequently copied in the 19th Century.