Empire Style French Wall Sconces, circa 1800-1830 (5969)

Wall Sconces Bras de Lumière — Empire Style, France, circa 1800–1830 These two-arm wall sconces belong to the same Empire style bras de lumière tradition as the eagle-head pair, produced in the Parisian bronziers ateliers of the Napoleonic period between approximately 1800 and 1830. Their form is more austere and classical: a circular wall plate with a precise godronné border, two curved arms lacquered in deep navy blue and black (bleu nuit), with gilded bronze accents in the or et noir manner. Each arm terminates in a fan-shaped bobèche — an open palm-leaf or reed-bundle motif that carries the direct aesthetic legacy of Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign. Empire period snapshot: In the autumn of 1812, Jacques-Louis David stood in his atelier near the Louvre, examining a freshly completed portrait of Napoleon. Sconces like these cast their shadows across the canvas; he remained motionless for a long time, then quietly moved the candle aside and returned to work. No maker’s mark is visible. The reverse of the circular plate — cast, with a central T-shaped mount — corresponds to the technical standard of a first-rank Parisian workshop. The oxidation of the iron mounting element on the reverse is consistent with authentic age. The compact circular-plate form in bleu nuit enamel is considerably rarer than the more common oval or shield-plate variants, and the survival of a matched pair (paire) with intact original colouring is notable. In an interior, the compact dimensions make these sconces highly versatile — a corridor, bedroom, study, or library wall, above a console or between paintings. The and gold palette harmonises exceptionally well with the dark green, slate-blue, and charcoal tones currently dominant in interior design. The condition of the item is fully reflected in the photographs.