Pair of Neo-Greek Floor Lamps Attributed to G. Servant, France, Circa 1870

Height without/with lampshade : 168/185 cm (66,1 / 72,8 in.) ; Base : 43 x 43 cm (16,9 x 16,9 in.) Beautiful pair of neo-Greek floor lamps in bronze with double patina, composed of cylindrical lamps, decorated on the body with a rotating frieze representing women dressed in the Antique style weaving and spinning, surmounted by lampshades with cut sides in red pleated silk with golden braid. They are placed on pedestals from which hang thin chains attached to the slender shaft decorated with stylized leaves and flowers, resting on a tripod base decorated with large palmettes and ending in lion’s paws. The stylistic repertoire used here, composed in particular of palmettes, masks, and nymphs, evokes Greek Antiquity, as does the reuse of forms of furniture and objects such as tripods and antique vases. The rediscovery in the 18th century of the archaeological remains of Pompeii and Herculaneum allowed artists of all disciplines to draw inspiration from Antiquity while reinterpreting it. This trend did not fade and, in the 19th century, many personalities fitted out their interiors with neo-Greek furniture, as was the case for the Maison Pompéienne built in 1856 by the architect Alfred Normand (1822-1909) for Prince Napoleon, or Empress Eugénie who bought from the Maison Barbedienne pedestals inspired by antique tripods. Related work : Pedestal model presented by Maison Barbedienne at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1855. On this occasion, Empress Eugénie bought it for her bathroom in the Château de Saint-Cloud. This model pleased the Empress so much that she ordered two other pairs in 1858 for her boudoir in the palaces of Compiègne and Fontainebleau. (see photo attached) Photo showing a floor lamp similar to ours in Empress Eugénie’s bedroom in the Château de Compiègne (Oise), in Architecture intérieure et Décoration en France des...

A similar model presented at the 1855 Paris Universal Exhibition Total height : 154 cm (60 5/8 in.) ; Width : 33 x 33 cm (13 x 13 in.) Cup : height 17 cm (6 ¾ in.) Beautiful pair of bronze stands also named Bamboo candelabra. Each rests on three claw feet adorned with lion heads and separated with palms. A bamboo shaped shaft arises from this tripod and is topped with three buds supporting a circular red griotte marble top on which stands a cup in the Ancient style decorated with ivy. The sobriety of the decoration enhances the quality of the bronze cast and the patina shades. The small chains falling from the top animates this work of a sleek design. The model : The design of these stands, inspired from Ancient tripods, is a well-known model in Ferdinand Barbedienne’s production as it was reused many times by the bronze-caster. Designed by the head-decorator Henri Cahieux, this model was edited by the Barbedienne Company as soon as 1855, named Ancient candelabra lamp-holder h. 1m35 and was sold 440 francs. From 1875, these stands were commercialised under the name Bamboo candelabra, tripod, lamp-holder and were offered in three heights : 1m90, 1m70 and 1m35. This model of stand could then be found in all catalogues of the Barbedienne Company. This pair of candelabras allows us to see how F. Barbedienne offered during decades a range of furniture from the designs of his decorator. This type of stand could be seen in different interior decorations of the Second Empire A model similar to ours was presented by the Barbedienne Company at the 1855 Universal Exhibition. For this occasion Empress Eugénie bought it for her toilet at Saint-Cloud Castle. A watercolor by Fortuné de Fournier made in 1860 shows them, set on both sides of a cheval mirror made by the Fourdinois Company. (see photo attached) This model pleased the Empress so much that she ordered two other pairs in 1858 for her boudoirs at Compiègne and Fontainebleau Palaces. Otherwise similar stands took place in the Pompeiian house built in 1856 by the architect Alfred Normand (1822-1909) for Prince Napoléon. Several pictures and engravings of this house show us these candelabras used...

Pair of Antique-inspired floor lamps in brass and patinated and gilded bronze attributed to Delisle. The fluted shaft is topped with a gilded capital decorated with acanthus leaves a...

Rare pair of Greek style candelabras made in patinated bronze and gilded bronze, attributed to G. Servant. Each with ten light arms topped by a heron shaped extinguisher. Decorated with various Greek style motifs such palmets, pine cones ans water leaves. Standing on a small triangular architecture presenting a theatre mask and reposing on a tripod base formed with lion paw feet. Georges Emile Henri Servant (circa 1828-1890), who took over his father in 1855 at their foundry, rue Vieille-du-Temple, in Paris, specialized in the production of neo-Egyptian style clocks, very popular in France since 1860’s, and also the making of Greek style decorative objects. He drew considerable attention to the high quality of his bronzes at the 1855 Paris Universal Exhibition and then at the 1862 London Exhibition. At this time Servant exported up to 40% of his production, principally to the United States, where for instance, his clocks were sold with great success by Louis Tiffany Inc. or Hamann & Roche of New York. But his success came really at the 1867 Paris Universal Exhibition, where he was awarded a Gold Medal for his neo-Greek and Egyptian works (Les Merveilles...

Magnificent pair of floor lamps in cast and chiseled gilt bronze and patinated brass. Gorgeous base with very pretty bronze features. It is cast in a triangular molded shape with thr...

Pair of American Victorian Neo-classical style (19th/20th Century) bronze 3 sided torchiere with masks, musical instruments and foliate details supporting a white glass globe (PRICED...

A rare and most unique pair of French 19th century Neo-Greek st. Patinated Bronze, Ormolu and Arabescato marble side tables/floor lamps. Each impressive side table/floor lamp is rais...

An exceptional pair of early 20th century Mediterranean style painted an patinated brass floor lamps on limestone bases. Recently re-wired, all sockets have chain pulls, in excellent...