Pr. French 18th C. Ormolu, Patinated Bronze, & Meissen Porcelain Flower Sconces

Description

A Rare Pair of French 18th Century Mercury Gilt Dore Bronze, Patinated Bronze Leaves, and Painted Bronze Branch-Form Two-Arm Sconces with 18th Century Meissen Porcelain Flowers. This pair of French 18th-century branch-form two-arm sconces features a composition of mercury gilt dore bronze, patinated bronze leaves, and painted bronze branch arms, combined with Meissen porcelain flowers. The structure mimics naturalistic branches, with twisting limbs adorned with polychrome foliage and floral elements. The candle cups and drip pans, rendered in mercury-gilt bronze, take the form of stylized blooms, with finely sculpted petals and subtle texturing. The ormolu is absolutely stunning, with the finest hand-chasing as well as the absolute best gilding. The sconces incorporate 18th-century Meissen porcelain flowers, each carefully modeled and painted. The porcelain blooms include anemones and clustered blossoms in blue, white, and pastel tones, set among patinated bronze leaves. The painted bronze elements match the naturalistic detailing of the porcelain, with varied textures and shading applied to the foliage. The porcelain flowers are securely affixed to the structure, positioned at different angles along the branches. The sconces are designed for wall mounting, with the arms extending outward to hold the candle cups. The patinated bronze branches exhibit a finely worked surface, with subtle variations in tone that emphasize the sculptural quality of the form. The mercury-gilt elements retain their original finish, with defined petal edges and a high level of detail in the cast decoration. These are truly a stunning pair and are extremely rare examples of mercury gilt, painted bronze, branch-form sconces, with Meissen Porcelain mounted flowers. France, Circa: 1760

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