Ref. 1933

Gagneau

Bronze-Caster & Lighting Manufacturer (19^th Century)
(attributed to)

Chandelier with Medallions

France
Circa 1890

Porcelain, Glass, Gilded bronze

Height : 68 cm (26,7 in.) ; Diameter : 52 cm (20,4 in.)

Charming Louis XVI-inspired gilded bronze chandelier with six lights. It is made of six oval medallions surrounded by a ribboned torus and topped with garlands of flowers, alternating between a frosted glass plate centered with an engraved star and a Wedgwood-type porcelain fruit picking scene. It is lit by six light-arms with bobeches supported by female faces, attached by six beaded chains to a knot forming the ceiling light. The base is adorned with a frieze of eggs ending with a pine cone.

Biography

Gagneau, a famous lighting manufacture, was established in Paris since 1800, and became reknowned because of its improvement to the Carcel oil lamp. The innovation was shown for the first time at the National Industry Products Exhibition in Paris in 1819, and was patented the same year. In the 19th century, the firm moved from the 25, rue d’Enghien to the 115, rue Lafayette and specialized in all lighting material: lamps, chandeliers, wall-lights…, whose quality was famous : Gagneau received Premier Medals at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in London in 1851, and at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1855. Celebrated bronzer and lighting manufacturer, Gagneau was member of the jury for the Artistic Bronzes Class at the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1889. The firm provided all lighting for the new French Embassy in Vienna in 1908.