French Louis XV Gilt Bronze Cherub Angel Trumpet 24 Arm Chandelier 33"

Description

Impressive Louis XV / French Empire / Pierre Gouthière style gilt bronze twenty four light, three tier Cherub / angel / trumpet candlestick chandelier. Made of gilt bronze featuring Cherubs / Puttis / Angels playing trumpets, surrounded by three tier layer of serpentine candlestick lights, and large acorn drop finial.

The design for the chandelier is an adaptation of the model designed by Pierre Gouthière for Le Cabinet Doré in Marie-Antoinette's private apartments at the Palace of Versailles. A design for the chandelier by Gouthière survives in the collections of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.

Pierre Gouthière (1732-1813) son of a saddle maker, rose to become the most famous Parisian bronze chaser and gilder of the late 1700s, receiving commissions from some of the leading connoisseurs of his day. Like many successful apprentices, he married the widow of his first employer and took over his establishment. Success came quickly, and in November 1767 he received the title of doreur du roi (Gilder to the King) from Louis XV. Gouthière also supplied works to the Comte d'Artois, the Marquis de Marigny and the marchand mercier Dominique Daguerre, among others.

Gouthière was a master of chasing and invented a new type of gilding that left a matte finish. He combined polished with matte finishes to create varied effects on the surfaces of his bronzes. He made many types of objects, including furniture mounts, ornaments for mantelpieces and coaches, and mounts for porcelain or marble vases.

Condition

Good condition, very heavy, wear and distressing from age and use, a few of the arms need rewired, one horn was replaced.

Dimensions

30" x 30" x 33"h