Pair of Gilt-Bronze Louis XVI Two-Light Wall Sconces, France, circa 1780

This elegant two-light Louis XVI style wall sconce by Gherardo Degli Albizzi shows many high-quality hand chiselled details. At the top, there is a tassel, a typical element of Louis...

These exquisite wall lights were created in the late 19th century by the famous bronzier, Henri Vian (French, 1860-1905). These wall lights are stamped ‘HV 955’ for Henri Vian, along with ‘BY’ for the prestigious Beurdeley furniture-making workshop (French, founded 1818). Vian purchased several bronze models that were created by Beurdeley when the company closed in 1895. These lights were most likely cast from a Beurdeley model. Typical of both Beurdeley’s and Vian’s work, these lights are designed in an 18th century Louis XVI (Neoclassical) style. The wall lights feature gilt bronze (ormolu) backplates which are designed to look like ribbons, tied in bows and ending in tassels. These ribbons support gilt bronze oval frames...