French neoclassical bronze candlesticks

A pair of French bronze candlesticks, early 20th century in the neoclassical taste with beaded detail, each with spreading sconce, baluster form pilaster pierced with lion's heads and acanthus leaf motifs, raised on stepped square bases with grapes and foliage decoration. Height 10.43 in.

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Acanthus - A stylized leaf motif, one of the primary decorative elements of classical Greek and Roman architecture, derived from the genus of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Mediterranean area. It is a common element in classical Greek and Roman design, and is often seen in Corinthian and Composite order columns and used as a decorative element in English, European and Australian furniture, particularly on the curve of a leg, and as decoration for a corbel.
Bronze - An alloy of copper and tin, traditionally in the proportions of about 9 parts of copper to 1 part of tin.

The discovery of bronze in Western Asia in the 4th century enabled people to create metal objects which were superior to those previoulsy possible because of its strength and hardness, and it has been used throughout the world for weapons, coins, tools, statuary and other decorative items.

It is very fluid in a molten state, and its hardness, strength when set, and non-corrosive properties makes it most suitable for casting sculpture.
Sconce - A light attached to a wall. Originally a candle holder that is attached to a wall with an ornamental bracket and sometimes with a reflective back plate, but now applied to an electric light that has been inspired by that design.

In recent times the word has also come into use to desribe the candle holders on a candelabra.

This item has been included into following indexes:

candlesticks, material
- gilt and bronze 261
- ormolu and bronze 183