A pair of exceptionally elegant and important late Empire five-light figural candelabra �A la Victoire� in gilt-bronze, attributed to Pierre-Philippe Thomire, after a design by Charles Percier. Imposing size at 81cm in height.French Paris c.1820Superbly cast, in the Neo-Classical style, the five scrolling foliate candle branches enclosing central sconces issuing from a circular wreath supported by the winged figure of Victory (Nike), wearing diaphanous robes gathered by a sash above a long underskirt splaying out from above her ankles, with beautifully feathered wings flowing behind her as she looks straight ahead. Each figure standing on one foot, the other bent, resting on a plain sphere over a reeded palmette-cast baluster pedestal raised on square plinth. Wonderful colour and patina, pierced for electricity, old inventory label to the underside. We are delighted to have been able to acquire these important candelabra as rarely does one get the opportunity to purchase items by P P Thomire, who was the leading Parisian gilt metal manufacturer and gilder of the early 19th century. As noted below candelabra of this caliber are often found in museums and important private & Royal collections.ProvenanceIt is certain that the candelabra came from a private Swiss collection and had been in the family for sometime. Their earlier provenance is partially revealed by an old depository label attached to the base of one of the pieces. The label is for the firm of Case and Sons of Salisbury, a very old and important removal firm established in 1884https://www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/news/17365152.case-sons-removal-delivery-service-established-fisherton-street-1884/The label also gives the name of Case''s client at the time-a ''Mr Cobbold''. Our research in to the various Cobbold families in the Wiltshire area has revealed one name of particular interest, Mr Ralph Hamilton Cobbold. Born in 1906 in Compton House near Calne in Wiltshire, Cobbold was a...