Candelabrum
Modeler
Pierre-Philippe Thomire
(French, 1751 - 1843)
Dateca. 1820
MediumCopper alloy with mercury gilding
DimensionsOverall: 36 inches (91.44 cm)
Credit LineBequest of Linda S. Hall
Object number41-57/5
On View
On viewGallery Location
- 123
Collections
DescriptionCylindrical base supporting a new sphere on which is standing an angel, with upstretched arms, holding a group of six elaborate candle holders; five identical ones surrounding a singular candle-holder.Gallery LabelThese grand candelabra of the late Neoclassical style were one of the many forms of gilded luxury objects popular in the early 19th century. The winged Victory female figures in ancient dress and the scrolls and acanthus leaves of the candle holders are exemplars of classical motifs. Thomire, a French bronzeworker and sculptor, was appointed by Napoleon in 1809 and given notable royal commissions. Although these candelabra were created after Napoleon's rule, which ended in 1814, Thomire is credited with carrying many of the Napoleonic decorations and motifs into the next several decades.
Linda S. Hall (1859-1938), Kansas City, MO, by April 2, 1934-1938 [1];
Her estate, 1938-1941;
Her bequest to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 1941.
NOTES:
[1] Under the terms of Hall’s will, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art could select objects of art from Hall’s home to add to the museum’s collection. Director Paul Gardner viewed the Hall collection in early 1934 and sent Hall a letter dated April 2, 1934, detailing the objects the museum would like to add to its collection. These objects would remain with her estate, however, until the death of her husband, Herbert F. Hall (1858-1941). Gardner’s letter and a copy of Hall’s will are in the Nelson-Atkins curatorial files.
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