Pair of Tall French Louis XVI Style Gilt Bronze Sconces, C. 1880

Each sconce has a main body composed of a five-string lyre, a symbol of the Greek and Roman god, Apollo. The lyres are adorned with additional classical fruit and foliate motifs such as lotus leaves, anthemion, and grape clusters, as well as an entablature chased with fluting. A long neck, reminiscent of hanging drapery (another neoclassical element), cascades down from a tied bow with an acanthus noix, connecting to the lyre via an open circlet.

The base of each sconce is adorned with large, curled leaves above a pair of classic motifs: Vitruvian waves on a concave protuberance and a pinecone terminal. Above the top of the leaf tips is a sprawling display of five arcing candelabra arms, each adorned with fluting, curled leaves, and grapes. The second and fourth arms have the additional embellishment of a floral rinceau on the underside of the labra. All five arms terminate in a bobeche with a molded rim beneath cylindrical capitals and cream faux candle sleeves. Our graceful pair of Louis XVI style gilt bronze sconces would make beautiful additions to the wall of any room in the house.