Early 19th century Empire candlestick.

Empire candlestick of the early nineteenth century.
Later converted into a table lamp.
Gilded bronze.
Measurements: 33 x 13 x 8,5 cm.

Empire style table candlestick in mercury gilded bronze, with a female figure of great dynamism and quality in the chiseling. Dressed in a tunic with flowing folds, she evokes the statuary of classical antiquity. Her hair is gathered in an elaborate hairstyle of Greco-Roman inspiration. She probably represents a maenad, given the thyrsus she brandishes in one hand.

The figure rests on a cylindrical base ornamented with a frieze in bas-relief that presents motifs of palmettes and stylized vegetal elements, a decorative repertoire par excellence of the Empire style.

This candlestick, later electrified to function as a table lamp, is a representative piece of the decorative arts of the French Empire style, combining exceptional workmanship with a rich allegorical narrative.