Pair of 19th Century Neptune ‘Girandole’ Bronze & Gold Leaf Mirrored Wall Sconces

Description

Pair of 19th Century ‘Girandole’ Italian Mirrored Wall Candle Sconces is a truly remarkable piece of art. These wall sconces feature a stunning design with Neptune, the sea god, at the center, surrounded by intricate mythical sea creatures. The sconces are made of high-quality materials and are stamped with the initials “JJ” for added authenticity. 

The central mirror of these sconces is beveled, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to the overall design. This beveled mirror not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also serves a functional purpose. It allows for a pleasant and efficient diffusion of light when the sconces are used to support candles. 

Girandoles, as these sconces are known, have a rich history dating back to the 17th century. They were commonly used in pairs and were considered a luxurious lighting fixture either with candle light or electric lighting. In the 18th century, French ciseleurs designed some exceptionally beautiful girandoles, using a variety of metals including gilded bronze. 

These Italian Mirrored Wall Sconces are not only a lighting fixture but also a work of art. They can be attached to mirrors or furniture, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to any space. The sconces are a perfect addition to valuable residences, lighting up corridors or living rooms with their reflective surfaces and enchanting design.

This type of small mirrors was used as sconces to support candles to light the corridors or the living rooms of valuable residences. The reflective surface of the mirror allowed a pleasant and functional diffusion of the light.

A girandole from French, in turn from Italian girandola) is an ornamental branched candlestick or light fixture consisting of several lights, often resembling a small chandelier. Girandoles came into use about the second half of the 17th century, and were commonly made and used in pairs.

A girandole has always been, comparatively speaking, a luxurious appliance for lighting, and in the great 18th-century period of French house decoration, the famous ciseleurs designed some exceedingly beautiful examples. A great variety of metals have been used for the purpose. Sometimes, as in the case of candlesticks, girandoles have been made in hardwoods. Gilded bronze has been a very frequent medium, but for table use silver is still the favorite material.

Girandoles, or lighting devices, have also been attached to looking glasses and furniture. Some popular mirrors, especially the convex style, and some large dressing glasses of the 19th century were known as “girandoles” because of the lighting devices mounted to their sides.

Condition

The condition is excellect for the period – foxing to the mirror plate

Drilled holes in the sconces, previouly have been electric

Measurement

Height:   50 cm   /   19.86 inches (each)

Width:   28 cm   /   11.02 inches (each)

Depth:   11 cm   /   4.33 inches (each)

Weight:   2.7 k.g. (each)