Rare, impressive and highly decorative French Empire gilt bronze four branch figural candelabra in the manner of Claude Galle or more likley his son Gérard-Jean Galle. Late 19th century examples. These imposing candelabra depict the mythological gods Mars god of war and Minerva the warrior goddess. Each figure stands in front of a large full size lictors bundle augmented with classical axes and surmounted by military colours with an eagle finial. Presented on Rouge Giotte marble pedestal bases decorated with amorial and classical ormolu mounts. Similar candelabra can be seen in the Royal Palace Stockholm (see Hans Ottomeyer and Peter Pröschel, “Vergoldete Bronzen”, 1986, p. 396). French, circa 1890.Based in London, we are dealers in fine decorative antiques from the 18th and 19th centuries. We specialise in this era of enlightenment, neoclassicism and the Grand Tour, with its far reaching influence on style and taste in Britain, Continental Europe and beyond: elegance in the age of...