19th C. GIRANDOLE CANDLE HOLDERS GILT BRONZE DOUBLE MARBLE BASE SNOWFLAKE PRISIM
Item History & Price
Reference Number: Avaluer:68787 | Type: Candle Holders |
BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE GIRANDOLE MANTLE CANDLE HOLDERSGILT BRONZE SET -- Known as the Paul and Virginia Girandoles with original snowflake prisms.
• Maker:Unmarked/unknown • Era:Antique c. 1850's • Condition: The gilt is in wonderful shape. No worn spots. The original cut prisms are in good shape with a few minor chips, expec...ted for the age. So often the prisms have been broken and lost and replaced with new ones. • Measurements:The candlesticks measure approximately 16" tall. The base measures approximately6 1/2" x 3 1/2".Paul and Virginia GirandolesThe design inspiration for the Paul and Virginiagirandoles was the 1787 romantic novel Paul et Virginie by the French authorBernadin de Saint-Pierre (1737 to 1814). The novel tells of star-crossedlovers, the children of misalliances whose mothers have sought refuge in thetropical French Colony of Isle de France (Mauritus). Raised as siblings, Pauland Virginia develop a deep and innocent love broken only by Virginia’s returnto Europe to care for a sick aunt. Later, while returning to Paul, Virginiadies in a shipwreck, to be followed shortly in death by her grief strickenlover. This classic novel, also espousingSaint-Pierre’s recurring themes of order and harmony in the universe under thedivine providence of God, was widely popular throughout the nineteenth centuryand its themes are reflected in many products of the Victorian era’s popularculture.
Weight about 10 pounds for shipping.
1850's Brass/Bronze Daniel Boone Girandole / Candelabrum withSnowflake PrismsThis is anantique American bronze figural girandole made by Cornelius & Co ofPhiladelphia. It was made some time between 1839 and 1851. Several copies ofthis girandole have been found with “Cornelius & Co. December 5, 1848”, butthat mark was used between 1839-1851 when the company changed its name toCornelius & Baker. Condition: Excellent with good patina. There are 4 prisms missing, one on the back of each side of the outstretched "arms" and two onthe back of the tall center piece. All of those are positioned so that, if youdidn't know they weren't there, you likely would not notice. If you wantedreplacements, the prism is generally called a "Colonial Prism" and iswidely available, but probably without the snowflake design. It is solidbrass/bronze mounted on a marble plinth. It consists of several sections whichare assembled without tools.
Shipping weight: 10 pounds