Ref.14019
Pair of neo-Gothic lanterns with fleur-de-lis and dolphins, circa 1895

This pair of neo-Gothic lanterns fits perfectly into the architecture of the Château de la Cordelière for which it was designed. Commissioned by Viscount Frédéric Chandon de Briailles (the son of the founder of the famous champagne house Moët & Chandon), the castle was built by the architect Raphaël Nicolas Sauger, between 1895 and 1900. The lights are suspended from a long wall bracket ending with a fleur-de-lis at each end and extending into a volute decorated with acanthus leaves ending on a dolphin's head. The lights themselves are crowned with fleur-de-lis as well as clovers evoking the family coat of arms (silver, with a fess gules, accompanied by three sable clovers). The lantern bulbs are protected by yellow and blue stained glass windows. A few underlying scrolls complete this very homogeneous decor. The decoration of these lanterns reveals the ambition of the commissioner: the fleur-de-lis and the dolphins are originally symbols reserved for the royal family; the Chandon de Briailles are counts, therefore close to the royal family, which they do not hesitate to affirm through these symbols.

Ref.15432
Twenty-Four-Arm Chandelier Based on Château de Versailles Chandeliers, 20th century

This cage chandelier with twenty-four arms of light was made in the second half of the 20th century on a model identical to certain chandeliers at the Château de Versailles. The top of the chandelier forms a flared bowl in gilded metal reflecting the light; it is accompanied by rods embellished with rosettes and poly-lobed crystals of various shapes. The top of the cage is formed by waves of gilded metal ending in Art Deco-style pendants or crystal balusters topped with daggers. The body of the chandelier tapers before unfolding fully. The curves and counter-curves are always punctuated by the presence of crystals: balusters topped with daggers, Art Deco pendants and wave-shaped arms of light whose ends are adorned with basins in the shape of flower corollas supporting dummy candles. A ball carved with ovals and a rosette (below) hangs from the lower end of the chandelier. The Art Deco pendants are electrified. This chandelier was executed after a model made repeatedly in the Château de Versailles, which can be found in the Salon de Mars and in the antechamber of the Grand Couvert in the Grands Appartements for example. These were executed by Baguès in 1863-1864, as a copy of a chandelier in the collections. Despite minor differences, the mounts of these chandeliers are identical, and the ornamentation is very similar (with the exception of the Art Deco decorations).