Candelabras in Gilded Bronze, Set of 2

Pair of candelabras in bronze and bronze signed Henry Cahieux (1825-1854) and Ferdinand Barbedienne. The shaft in the shape of vase with two handles is decorated with birds among branches, from which escape four arms of light in gilded bronze topped by a wader. The whole rests on a square base made of griotte Marble finished by four claw feet. Henry Cahieux (1825-1854) was the chief decorator of the bronze art manufacturer Ferdinand Barbedienne. Although he died too young from illness, he had a brilliant career ahead of him, as shown by his works in the Greek style exhibited at the Salons of 1850 and 1853. In 1855, a year after his death, his lamps won a Medal of Honour at the Barbedienne stand at the Paris World Fair. Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892) was the founder and director of one of the most important art foundries of the second half of the 19th century; renowned for his castings of ancient and modern sculptures, exhibited in the greatest museums of Europe, but also for his original bronzes, designed in his workshops, or in collaboration with renowned sculptors such as Barrias, Clésinger or Carrier-Belleuse. Barbedienne is known for the exemplary quality of its bronzes, which have been rewarded at several International Exhibitions (two large medals at the London Exhibition in 1851, a medal of honour at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1855, medals in three different classes at the Universal Exhibition in London in 1862, etc.), which enables him to receive numerous official orders. Ferdinand Barbedienne was named Officer of the Legion of Honour in 1867, then Commander in 1878.