A Pair of Louis Philippe Gilt-Bronze Sculptural Table Lamps

Description

A Pair of Louis Philippe Gilt-Bronze Sculptural Table Lamps.

Modelled with ‘Lion au Serpent’ atop stepped plinths applied with acanthus leaf and cornucopia. Formerly chenets adapted as table lamps.

France, Circa 1840.

The dramatic composition is intended as an allegory to the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy, with the lion symbolic of courage, strength and good kingship, representing Louis-Philippe (King of France from 1830 to 1848), triumphing over Napoleon Bonaparte, as represented by the serpent. It also commemorates the fact that in July 1830, when the Revolution saw Louis-Philippe placed on the French throne, Leo and Hydra were the ruling constellations.

This symbolism was most famously portrayed by the Romantic realist sculptor Antoine Louis Barye (1795-1875) in his sculpture of 1832 ‘Lion au Serpent, no. 1’, also known as the ‘Lion desTuileries’.

Antoine-Louis Barye (1796–1875), Etching,
“Lion with Serpent”, c1833,  “Lion au Serpent’ circa 1833.

A life-size plaster model by Barye was sculpted in 1832 and exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1833. It was later cast in bronze for Louis-Philippe and exhibited at the 1836 Salon (now Louvre, Paris, L.P. 1184).

Antoine-Louis Barye, Bronze Edition ‘Lion au Serpent’, modelled 1832, cast circa 1847. Metropolitain Museum, New York – acc no: 10.108.3. Image Public Domain

Weight: 11 kg each
Height of groups without fittings/shades: 37 cm | 15 inches