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ID #SA1033007
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£85,000
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François-christophe-armand Toussaint (1806-1862) a Large Pair of French Mid-19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Torchères
Patrick Moorhead Antiques
for sale €99,450     $107,950
£85,000
Patrick Moorhead Antiques

Patrick Moorhead Antiques

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    Patrick moorhead has been one of the uk's finest trade-only antique furniture and art dealers for over 30 years.
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Id #SA1033007
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François-christophe-armand Toussaint (1806-1862) a Large Pair of French Mid-19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Torchères

19th century
Description

François-Christophe-Armand Toussaint (1806-1862) A large pair of French mid-19th century gilt and patinated bronze figural torchères: Esclave Indien and Esclave Indienne

cast by F. Barbedienne (before 1869) from models by Toussaint dated 1850

the male and female figures each holding aloft glass flame shades, on panelled chamfered rectangular black marble plinths, the bronze pedestals of cylindrical baluster form with acanthus leaf collars and four engaged foliate scroll corbel supports with fluted ornament, on circular socles cast in the form of ribbon-bound laurel garlands, each signed A.Toussaint 1850 and Fondeur F.Barbedienne, 36cm wide, 36cm deep, 217cm high (14in wide, 14in deep, 85in high). the figures 112cm high (44in high

Armand Toussaint first exhibited a plaster model at the 1847 Salon in Paris entitled "Un esclave indien portant une torche" along with its female pendant.

The models were cast in bronze three years later, commissioned by the French Ministre de l'intérieur, and after being exhibited at the 1850-1851 Paris Salon (exh. no 3599) they were placed in the Ministry's bureau in the Palais de l'Elysée.

These models described as "Les deux indiens (esclaves porte-lumières)" can be seen in the Barbedienne catalogue from 1855, then edited in two sizes (112cm and 70cm). The present lot corresponds to the tallest edition.

At the 1862 Great Exhibition in London, Graux-Marly also exhibits a cast of these torchères, described by the French reporter Deherain as follows: «During one of our last Salons, everyone was struck by those half naked figures, with their eyes on the ground, expressing the resignation of a vanquished people; these are two excellent candelabra models, who have been reduced to numerous dimensions; these will be beautiful at the bottom of a monumental stair".

After Toussaint' s death in 1869 Ferdinand Barbedienne and Graux-Marly signed an agreement to regulate the cast edition of these models. According to this contract Barbedienne is limited to edit them in sizes below 99.5cm and Graux-Marly higher than 108cm.

Batch 75 55897. TKSYK

Physical Dimensions
Height
217cm (85.43")
Width
36cm (14.17")
Depth
36cm (14.17")
Declaration

Patrick Moorhead Antiques has dated these French Bronze Figural Torcheres to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1033007
Dealers Internal Reference
SKU00002007
Dealers Notes

We are happy to provide free transport within the UK.

We also help provide and advise on shipping prices for international destinations.

Description
François-Christophe-Armand Toussaint (1806-1862) A large pair of French mid-19th century gilt and patinated bronze figural torchères: Esclave Indien and Esclave Indienne

cast by F. Barbedienne (before 1869) from models by Toussaint dated 1850

fig 1. A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade.
fig 1. François-christophe-armand Toussaint (1806-1862) a Large Pair of French Mid-19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Torchères

the male and female figures each holding aloft glass flame shades, on panelled chamfered rectangular black marble plinths, the bronze pedestals of cylindrical baluster form with acanthus leaf collars and four engaged foliate scroll corbel supports with fluted ornament, on circular socles cast in the form of ribbon-bound laurel garlands, each signed A.Toussaint 1850 and Fondeur F.Barbedienne, 36cm wide, 36cm deep, 217cm high (14in wide, 14in deep, 85in high). the figures 112cm high (44in high

“
Armand Toussaint first exhibited a plaster model at the 1847 Salon in Paris entitled "Un esclave indien portant une torche" along with its female pendant.
Patrick Moorhead Antiques
fig 2. A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade.
fig 2. François-christophe-armand Toussaint (1806-1862) a Large Pair of French Mid-19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Torchères

The models were cast in bronze three years later, commissioned by the French Ministre de l'intérieur, and after being exhibited at the 1850-1851 Paris Salon (exh. no 3599) they were placed in the Ministry's bureau in the Palais de l'Elysée.

fig 3. A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade.
fig 3. François-christophe-armand Toussaint (1806-1862) a Large Pair of French Mid-19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Torchères

These models described as "Les deux indiens (esclaves porte-lumières)" can be seen in the Barbedienne catalogue from 1855, then edited in two sizes (112cm and 70cm). The present lot corresponds to the tallest edition.

fig 4. A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade.
fig 4. François-christophe-armand Toussaint (1806-1862) a Large Pair of French Mid-19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Torchères

At the 1862 Great Exhibition in London, Graux-Marly also exhibits a cast of these torchères, described by the French reporter Deherain as follows: «During one of our last Salons, everyone was struck by those half naked figures, with their eyes on the ground, expressing the resignation of a vanquished people; these are two excellent candelabra models, who have been reduced to numerous dimensions; these will be beautiful at the bottom of a monumental stair".

fig 5. A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade.
fig 5. François-christophe-armand Toussaint (1806-1862) a Large Pair of French Mid-19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Torchères

After Toussaint' s death in 1869 Ferdinand Barbedienne and Graux-Marly signed an agreement to regulate the cast edition of these models. According to this contract Barbedienne is limited to edit them in sizes below 99.5cm and Graux-Marly higher than 108cm.

Batch 75 55897. TKSYK

Height
217cm (85.43")
Width
36cm (14.17")
Depth
36cm (14.17")
Date of Manufacture

Patrick Moorhead Antiques has dated these French Bronze Figural Torcheres to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1033007
Dealers Internal Ref
SKU00002007
Patrick Moorhead Antiques
Patrick Moorhead Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2018

Patrick moorhead has been one of the uk's finest trade-only antique furniture and art dealers for over 30 years.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Patrick Moorhead Antiques Profile Page

Trade Associations

Patrick Moorhead Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA 

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A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade.
1 / 13
Archive I A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade.

François-christophe-armand Toussaint (1806-1862) a Large Pair of French Mid-19th Century Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Torchères

Archive II A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade. View II
Archive III A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade. View III
Archive IV A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade. View IV
Archive V A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade. View V
Archive VI A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade. View VI
Archive VII A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade. View IX
Archive X A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade. View X
Archive XI A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade. View XI
Archive XII A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade. View XII
Archive XIII A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade. View XIII
Enlarged Archival View
Patrick Moorhead Antiques

Patrick Moorhead Antiques
Telephone 077 1010 7505
Location
Spring Gardens
76 Church Street
Brighton
East Sussex
BN1 1RL
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/patrickmoorheadcouk
Verified Since Feb 2018
Items For Sale 701
Items Sold 31
Patrick Moorhead Antiques
Patrick Moorhead Antiques
Verified Since Feb 2018
View Dealer Info
Location: Spring Gardens, 76 Church Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1RL, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/patrickmoorheadcouk
Verified
Feb 2018
For Sale
701
Sold
31
A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade.
François-Christophe-Armand Toussaint (1806-1862) A large pair of French mid-19th century gilt and patinated bronze figural torchères
Ref: SA1033007
A pair of mid-19th century French patinated and gilt bronze floor torcheres sculpted as classical male and female figures raised on pedestals, each holding an illuminated flame-shaped glass shade.
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FAQs

A figural torchere is a freestanding decorative light fixture designed in the form of a human or mythological figure supporting a torch or lantern. Originating in classical antiquity and widely revived during 18th and 19th-century Europe, these pieces served as prominent architectural lighting in formal reception halls and salons.

French 19th-century torcheres were primarily cast in bronze, utilizing a combination of dark patination and electroplated or fire-gilded (ormolu) finishes. Frosted, etched, or mouth-blown glass flame shades were typically fitted at the top to diffuse light from oil, gas, or early electrical sources.

Authentic pieces feature sharp casting detail, hand-chased anatomical and drapery elements, and foundry marks or artist signatures stamped into the bronze base. Examining the construction underneath for hand-cut screws, heavy threaded rods, and natural age oxidisation also helps confirm period origin.

Large figural torcheres serve as dramatic structural accents when placed symmetrically on either side of a grand entrance, framing a doorway, or set within deep wall niches. Combining classical bronze forms with clean architectural lines creates a refined contrast in contemporary spaces.

Dust the surfaces regularly using a clean, soft-bristle brush or dry microfibre cloth to clean intricate drapery and recessed areas. Avoid water, harsh chemical detergents, or abrasive polishes, as these destroy original patination and gilt layers; application of microcrystalline wax can preserve the metal finish.
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