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ID #SA924100
FOR SALE
£785
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Fine Pair of French Antique Ormolu Candlesticks Circa 1840
For sale by Donnelly Antiques Ltd
Id #SA924100
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Fine Pair of French Antique Ormolu Candlesticks Circa 1840

19th century
Description

This attractive pair of gilt bronze candlesticks of Louis XV inspiration are typically decorated with foliage, shell motifs and S and C scrolls. They have weighty hand chased castings and the outer edge of the base of one appears to have been stamped but the marks are illegible (see photos). We are of the opinion that they date from the Louis Philippe period circa 1840.

Whilst the original ormolu finish is generally bright and crisp there are some marks and and rubbing to the gilding as would usually be expected.

Height some 26cms, width and depth each around 15cms. The pair have a combined unpackaged weight of approximately 3kgs.

Date of Manufacture

Donnelly Antiques Ltd has dated these Antique French Ormolu Candlesticks to the 19th Century.

Independent Date Guide ID 07468700
Dealer's Item Date19th Century
Sellingantiques Date19th Century
Sellingantiques agingItem 165-200 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 19TH CENTURY:
Fine hand-chasing on the scrolls: mid-19th-century bronze casting of high quality.
Integrated coarse brass screw threads: traditional multi-part candlestick construction.
Burnished highlights set against matted ground: typical fire-gilding technique.
Natural green verdigris inside the sockets: long exposure to candle wax and air.
Rough sand-cast texture underneath: period foundry work.

This Independent Date Guide was compiled by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. It works only from the photographs shown on this page and is never told the date the dealer has declared. It is a guide, not a guarantee of age, and occasional errors can occur.

Physical Dimensions
Height
26cm (10.24")
Width
15cm (5.91")
Depth
15cm (5.91")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA924100
Dealers Internal Reference
3365
Description
This attractive pair of gilt bronze candlesticks of Louis XV inspiration are typically decorated with foliage, shell motifs and S and C scrolls.
“
They have weighty hand chased castings and the outer edge of the base of one appears to have been stamped but the marks are illegible (see photos).
Donnelly Antiques Ltd

We are of the opinion that they date from the Louis Philippe period circa 1840.

fig 1. A pair of 19th-century French ormolu candlesticks featuring intricate acanthus leaf carving, rocaille shell motifs, and a gilded finish.
fig 1. Fine Pair of French Antique Ormolu Candlesticks Circa 1840

Whilst the original ormolu finish is generally bright and crisp there are some marks and and rubbing to the gilding as would usually be expected.

Height some 26cms, width and depth each around 15cms. The pair have a combined unpackaged weight of approximately 3kgs.

Date of Manufacture

Donnelly Antiques Ltd has dated these Antique French Ormolu Candlesticks to the 19th Century.

Independent Date Report ID 07468700
Dealer's Item Date19th Century
Sellingantiques dating19th Century
Sellingantiques agingItem 165-200 years old
ResultsDates match
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 19th Century:
Fine hand-chasing on the scrolls: mid-19th-century bronze casting of high quality.
Integrated coarse brass screw threads: traditional multi-part candlestick construction.
Burnished highlights set against matted ground: typical fire-gilding technique.
Natural green verdigris inside the sockets: long exposure to candle wax and air.
Rough sand-cast texture underneath: period foundry work.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Height
26cm (10.24")
Width
15cm (5.91")
Depth
15cm (5.91")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA924100
Dealers Internal Ref
3365
Donnelly Antiques Ltd
Sellingantiques verified Since Dec 2020
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Donnelly Antiques Ltd Profile Page

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A pair of 19th-century French ormolu candlesticks featuring intricate acanthus leaf carving, rocaille shell motifs, and a gilded finish.
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Archive I A pair of 19th-century French ormolu candlesticks featuring intricate acanthus leaf carving, rocaille shell motifs, and a gilded finish.

Fine Pair of French Antique Ormolu Candlesticks Circa 1840

Archive II A pair of 19th-century French ormolu candlesticks featuring intricate acanthus leaf carving, rocaille shell motifs, and a gilded finish. View II
Archive III A pair of 19th-century French ormolu candlesticks featuring intricate acanthus leaf carving, rocaille shell motifs, and a gilded finish. View III
Archive IV A pair of 19th-century French ormolu candlesticks featuring intricate acanthus leaf carving, rocaille shell motifs, and a gilded finish. View IV
Archive V A pair of 19th-century French ormolu candlesticks featuring intricate acanthus leaf carving, rocaille shell motifs, and a gilded finish. View V
Archive VI A pair of 19th-century French ormolu candlesticks featuring intricate acanthus leaf carving, rocaille shell motifs, and a gilded finish. View VI
Archive VII A pair of 19th-century French ormolu candlesticks featuring intricate acanthus leaf carving, rocaille shell motifs, and a gilded finish. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of 19th-century French ormolu candlesticks featuring intricate acanthus leaf carving, rocaille shell motifs, and a gilded finish. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of 19th-century French ormolu candlesticks featuring intricate acanthus leaf carving, rocaille shell motifs, and a gilded finish. View IX
Archive X A pair of 19th-century French ormolu candlesticks featuring intricate acanthus leaf carving, rocaille shell motifs, and a gilded finish. View X
Archive XI A pair of 19th-century French ormolu candlesticks featuring intricate acanthus leaf carving, rocaille shell motifs, and a gilded finish. View XI
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Telephone 07918 468939
Location
Colchester
Essex
United Kingdom
Verified Since Dec 2020
Items For Sale 16
Items Sold 69
Donnelly Antiques Ltd
Verified Since Dec 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom
Verified
Dec 2020
For Sale
16
Sold
69
A pair of 19th-century French ormolu candlesticks featuring intricate acanthus leaf carving, rocaille shell motifs, and a gilded finish.
Fine pair of French antique ormolu candlesticks circa 1840
Ref: SA924100
A pair of 19th-century French ormolu candlesticks featuring intricate acanthus leaf carving, rocaille shell motifs, and a gilded finish.
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Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectCandlesticks
  • Period19th century
  • StyleFrench Rococo Revival
  • MaterialOrmolu, Gilt Bronze
  • ColourGilded Gold
  • MotifsAcanthus leaf scrolls, Rocaille shells, Twisted baluster stem, Shaped lobed base
  • SizeH 26 cm (10 in) x W 15 cm (6 in) x D 15 cm (6 in)

This pair of French Rococo Revival candlesticks originates from the 19th century, dating to the Louis Philippe period circa 1840. Rendered in ormolu and gilt bronze, the pieces possess a bright gilded gold finish with visible marks and rubbing consistent with age and handling. Hand-chased castings reveal intricate decorative details including acanthus leaf scrolls, rocaille shell motifs, twisted baluster stems, and shaped lobed bases, alongside legible stamps on the outer edge of one base. Each candlestick stands 26 cm high, 15 cm wide, and 15 cm deep, holding a combined unpackaged weight of approximately 3 kg. Positioned on a mantelpiece or a formal sideboard, these heavy decorative items serve as striking focal points in a drawing room or dining space. They function practically to hold taper candles while adding a distinct Louis XV aesthetic to an interior setting. The robust form and elaborate ornamentation integrate seamlessly into period-inspired domestic environments, offering both utility and historic character.

The French Rococo Revival style, popular during the mid-19th century, reimagined the ornate aesthetics of the 18th century Louis XV era. Metalwork from this movement is characterised by fluid asymmetrical curves, heavy acanthus foliage, rock-like rocaille motifs, and elaborate floral embellishments.

Traditional ormolu, or gilt bronze, involved casting bronze into detailed moulds, chasing the cold metal by hand to refine decorative details, and applying a gold-mercury amalgam before firing. The heat vaporised the mercury, leaving a durable layer of pure gold bonded to the bronze surface.

Authentic 19th-century ormolu displays fine hand-chased detailing, crisp relief work, and natural age-related patination or minor wear in low-contact areas. Original pieces often feature multi-part threaded construction visible beneath the base and exhibit a soft, warm lustre rather than modern uniform plating.

In modern settings, gilt metalwork adds texture and historical warmth against minimalist or contemporary backdrops. Arrange a pair on a marble mantelpiece, mix them into a curated console table display, or place them along a dining table centrepiece alongside linen and ceramics to soften crisp modern architecture.

Dust ormolu regularly using a soft, dry camel-hair brush to prevent dirt build-up in delicate recessed carving. Avoid chemical polishes, abrasive creams, or harsh solvents, as these can strip original gilding; if necessary, clean gently with mild soap and warm water using a barely damp cotton swab.
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