GUÉRET FRÈRES (cabinetmakers) and CARRIER-BELLEUSE (model by), Pair of

Style Neo-Renaissance / Ref.15775

GUÉRET FRÈRES (cabinetmakers) and CARRIER-BELLEUSE (model by), Pair of "Pages" torch holders, model from the 1867 Universal Exhibition

Dimensions
Width 21'' ⅝  55cm
Height 68'' ½  174cm
Depth: 11''   28cm

Origin:
France, 19th century

Biographies of Guéret Frères and Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse

Brothers Denis-Désiré (1828-1891) and Onésime Guéret (1830-1916) founded their firm in 1853, quickly establishing themselves as masters of woodcarving and fine cabinetmaking. Their talent was frequently recognized at Universal Exhibitions, notably with a bronze medal in 1855 and a silver medal in 1867. Wealthy patrons, including Napoleon III and the Duke of Aumale, commissioned them to create opulent furniture.

Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (1824-1887) was one of the most prolific and influential sculptors of the Second Empire. A student of David d’Angers, he also served as the artistic director of the Sèvres porcelain manufactory. His collaboration with the Guéret brothers was exceptionally fruitful, producing outstanding pieces where sculptural virtuosity met elegant furniture design. His ability to reinvent decorative forms left a lasting mark on French applied arts.

Description of the Work

This pair of walnut torch-bearers, titled "Pages," is an emblematic work presented by the Guéret brothers at the 1887 Universal Exhibition in Paris. Several art critics of the time praised the excellence of this model, highlighting the lifelike poses of the characters and the exceptional quality of the woodcarving.

Each sculpture depicts a young page dressed in Renaissance-style attire. Standing on a circular base, they firmly hold a torch designed to support a light fixture. The walnut medium allows for great precision in rendering the details of the costumes—fitted doublets, hose, and plumed hats—as well as the fluid grace of their movements.

These figures combine youthful charm with the nobility of their decorative function. The realism of the features and the care given to facial expressions reflect the hand of a master sculptor like Carrier-Belleuse, capable of bringing the material to life. This model achieved significant success, perfectly illustrating the taste for historical revival and decorative luxury that characterized grand residences in the late 19th century.