Pair of Gilt Bronze Wall Lights
£8,500
An exceptional pair of Louis XVI style wall sconces in chased and gilded bronze, each with two urn shaped nozzles supported by an eagle’s head holding chains and emerging from centred (signed) Wedgwood Jasperware lozenge plaques depicting neoclassical scenes finished with acanthus pendants. The design attributed to François Rémond. With hollow arms to allow for wiring
A related pair bearing the family arms Grimaldi accosted by two minor brothers in tenants, in place of Wedgwood plaques, catalogued and sold bu Christies Paris 1st December 2016. the same pair were later catalogued as 19th century and sold by Sotheby’s from the collection of Hotel Lambert, Paris, 13 October 2022, lot 575. Please see images. Having personally handled the Grimaldi wall lights, it is our opinion that Sotheby’s were correct in their cataloguing and that they are indeed 19th century.
FRANCOIS REMOND
François Rémond (1747-1812) was a French master engraver and gilder of the second half of the 18th century. His exemplary reputation brought him a wealthy clientele, the elite of the time. In relation with the merchant-mercer Daguerre and the carver Gouthière, he continually improved his recognized know-how. Gouthière even outsourced orders for decorative objects to him before 1788. Certain models delivered by Daguerre to a prestigious clientele were then possibly executed by Rémond: a pair of girandoles with eagle heads, connected by rows of pearls and bells, delivered around 1786 for Queen Marie-Antoinette’s Salon des Nobles in Versailles, could have been executed by Rémond. At the same time, the bronzier designs models, chisels, gilds and restores bronzes for the Comte d’Artois. He transcribed his work from 1780 in particular in his “Memory of works of chiseled bronzes and matt gilding provided for Monseigneur the Count of Artois at Bagatelle under the direction of Mr. Jubault, his general furniture storage by Rémond, gilder […]” . The Hôtel de la Princesse Kinsky rue Saint-Dominique also benefits from the talented engraver for its bronze furnishings and decoration. His meeting with cabinetmaker David Roentgen in 1774 opened the door to furniture as a whole. He therefore delivered both candelabras, sconces and other mounted objects, as well as ornamentations illustrating mythological figures, floral, plant and more geometric motifs, intended for chests of drawers and sideboards executed by Roentgen.
A similar model was offered for sale by Artcurial, Paris, June 29, 2009, lot 133. Simpler, and without representation of the family arms, it nevertheless reflects the skills of Rémond and his successors
