Set of Wall Sconces
A set of wall sconces brings matched illumination and decorative presence to a room, spanning French Rococo revival designs to clean Art Deco geometry.
Set of Wall Sconces
A set of wall sconces comprises multiple matched lighting fixtures designed to mount directly on vertical surfaces, providing symmetrical illumination along hallways, dining rooms and drawing rooms. The selection ranges from compact pairs to extensive groupings of six or eight matching brackets.
Most examples encountered here originate from French workshops spanning the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, particularly the 1930s. Alongside these continental designs, English brass iterations and Italian or Spanish variants appear regularly across the inventory.
Forms vary from simple twin-arm branch arrangements to elaborate figural castings incorporating cherubs, animal motifs and neoclassical torch themes. Buyers find both electrified conversions and candle-holder configurations within the current and archived stock.
What varies in quality
Casting definition dictates the visual strength of the piece, separating crisp, deeply chased foliate and figural details from soft, shallow reproductions. Superior bronze and brass work retains sharp architectural edges and clear relief in scrolls and ornamentation.
The integrity of the surface finish marks another distinction, where heavy fire-gilding or thick ormolu retains its warmth far better than thin electroplate. Weight, substantial gauge metal, and harmonious matching across all arms within the grouping complete the hierarchy.
Unusual animal motifs include playful panther heads, mythological hippocamps, and cherubs.
Faraday and Sons·Jean Haure
The Set of Wall Sconces Glossary
- Ormolu
- Gilded bronze produced by applying a mercury and gold amalgam to a bronze casting and heating it until the mercury vaporised. This technique creates a durable, deep golden finish seen on eighteenth and nineteenth-century French fixtures.
- Applique
- A term frequently used interchangeably with wall sconce, denoting a decorative light fixture mounted flat against a wall. These often feature decorative backplates that reflect the illumination.
- Rococo Revival
- A nineteenth-century design movement resurrecting the asymmetrical scrolls, shell motifs, and natural curves of the French Louis XV period. Pieces in this style emphasise flowing organic lines.
- Twin-arm
- A configuration where the main backplate supports two separate branching candle nozzles or lamp holders. This form represents one of the most common branch counts found in matched groupings.
- Backplate
- The structural wall-mounting section of a sconce that anchors the extending arms and conceals the electrical wiring or mounting bracket. It usually carries the primary decorative motif of the design.
Set of Wall Sconces: Frequently Asked Questions
Are these wall sconces wired for electricity?
Many examples are rewired and ready for installation, while others retain their original candle-holding configuration.
Listings indicate whether modern wiring has been added or if the piece functions with candles.
How do I identify Art Deco sconces?
Art Deco pieces from the 1930s feature streamlined geometric forms, chrome plating, and moulded frosted glass shades.
They break away from ornate historical revivals in favour of industrial modernity.
What is the difference between brass and ormolu?
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc used for its bright metallic structure and durability across numerous periods.
Ormolu specifically denotes gilded bronze, carrying a richer, deeper golden surface achieved through historical amalgamation methods.