Paire d'APPLIQUES Lot n° 343

with four lights, in chased and gilded bronze. The shaft, formed of acanthus leaves and a palmette, is surmounted by a helmeted Minerva mask on which stands an owl with spread wings. The whole holds the console light arms. The binet is decorated with mascarons and foliage. 19th century, after a model by Jean-Pierre de Lancry H : 45 - W : 38 cm This model of sconces was in Tsarskoe Selo. From 1804 to 1807, Jean-Pierre de Lancry delivered to the Russian Imperial Court many pieces in gilt bronze including these "sconces with the mask of Minerva". These sconces are also close to a model by Ravrio who delivered several pairs to the Fontainebleau Palace from 1805 to 1808. Variants are listed, notably with a mask of Athena or a rectangular plate. G. Loukomski, Tsarskoe Selo, Furniture and Interiors, London, 1987, p. 83 J.-P. Samoyault, Pendules et Bronzes d'ameublement entrés sous le Premier Empire, Paris, 1989, p. 146, n. 122-123