F3: Candelabrum
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© The Holburne Museum of Art, Bath
| Museum number | F3 |
| Title | Candelabrum |
| Object type | In category: Metalwork » Lighting device » Candelabrum |
| Date | Circa 1785 |
| People |
Unknown - Maker |
| Place of origin | Europe » Northern Europe » France » France |
| Condition |
Good |
| Dimensions |
71.0 cm height whole 21.5 cm width whole 19.0 cm depth whole |
| Materials & techniques |
In categories: Metal » Bronze Metal » Gilt-bronze Rock/ Mineral » Marble » Marble |
| Description |
Candelabrum consisting of a bronze figure of a female in classical dress. Before her she holds a draped salver on which stands a gilt-bronze urn decorated with relief scenes of putti playing athletic games. Three gilt-bronze candle branches sprout from the top of the urn. The figure stands on a white marble pedestal with gilt bronze mounts. Four rams' heads decorate the canted corners and the front is set with a pierced relief with vine garlands enclosing a putto with a lyre on the back of a lion. |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Style |
Neo-classical
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| Notes | This candelabrum and its pair (F4) were one of three pairs of late eighteenth-century French candelabra listed in the Front Drawing Room at 10 Cavendish Crescent in 1874. It is not clear whether they were acquired by Sir William Holburne or inherited from his parents. The relief on the gilt-bronze urn which depicts putti playing athletic games is taken from drawings by Jean-Guillaume Motte entitled Les Jeux du Cerceau of 1785.
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| Muse theme | The Art of Collecting |
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| Muse chapter |
The History of the Holburne Collection » Sir William Holburne and his Collection » Arranging the Collection: Sir William at Home
The History of the Holburne Collection » The Collection » Furniture |
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| Gallery Label |
PAIR OF CANDELABRA French, c. 1785. Bronze, ormolu and white marble. On each candelabrum, the classical figure supports an amphora decorated with a bacchanalian scene, the marble base is mounted with an ormolu casting of a putto riding a lion.The design of the scene on the amphora was taken from one of two drawings by Jean-Guillaume Motte (1746-1810), dated 1785 and known as "Les Jeux du Cerceau". Bacchanalian figures and scenes of this type were regarded as suitable ornament for the decoration of dining rooms in the 18th century. Collection of Sir William Holburne. Museum Numbers F 3, F4 (Unknown) |
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| Method of acquisition | Bequest | ||||||
| Provenance | Sir T. W. Holburne (1793-1874); by whom bequeathed to Mary Anne Barbara Holburne (1802-1882); by whom bequeathed to the Museum |
