"Cage" Crystal and Bronze Chandelier attr. to Maison Baguès, France, circa 1880

This very important 96-lights chandelier made entirely in chiseled and gilded bronze in the Renaissance style, is composed at the lower part of six large sets of ten light-arms, adorned with Bacchus masks, scalloped acanthuses, pearls and “cuir découpé” motifs (“cut leather”), and at the upper part of six sets of six light-arms. The light-arms set is designed around an architectured central shaft, made of foliate balusters, surrounded by three female tritons, each bearing a basket of exotic fruits. The whole finishing at the top with scrolls alternating with garlands of fruits. The whole is richly adorned with numerous cut and faceted crystal pendants. Provenance : Casino – Campione d’Italia *Two identical chandeliers have been made by Louis-Auguste Marquis for the Galerie de la Paix du 37 quai d’Orsay, Hôtel du Ministre des Affaires Étrangères (see attached). Louis-Auguste Marquis (1811-1885) teamed up in 1839 with another bronze-caster named Gilbert Honoré Chaumont (1790-1868), already specialized in lightings. They were awarded at the Exhibition of Industrial Products a bronze medal with their Renaissance style candelabra, a clock and a large chandelier with branches...

A very important thirty-five lights crystal and gilded bronze chandelier. The centered stem is made up of baluster-and-bowl-shaped cut-crystal pieces, all of very high-standard quality. Adorned with an elegant gilt bronze mount forming the light-arms, alternating bouquets of six and one, all decorated with climbing ivy...