Pair of hot air balloon-shaped appliques in crystal and gilt and chased bronze with five arms, early 19th century.
Measurements: 40x30 cm.
Origin: France
The appliques are distinguished by their elegant hot air balloon shape, created by rows of crystal pendants, and by the quality of the gilt and finely chased bronze parts. The band supporting the five candleholder arms is decorated with a very refined motif of grape clusters and vine leaves that runs along its entire length, while the arms are characterized by vegetal motifs and the candleholders by a knurled finish.
The crystal pendants are attached at the top to a ring finely decorated with chased laurel branches held by two intertwined fasces.
The rear part of the appliques is also interesting, embellished with a gilt and finely chased bronze lyre-shaped component and a large palmette at the bottom.
The lyre is meticulously decorated: composed of two arms with vegetal and zoomorphic elements, it features a soundbox with a small laurel leaf festoon and a floral ornament, while the crossbar bears two volutes.
