Ref. 1879/1

P. Poussielgue-Rusand

Goldsmith and Bronze-caster (1824-1889)
(attributed to)

Pair of « Holy Family » Candle Holders

France
Circa 1880

Cold-painted enamel, Gilded and silvered bronze

Height : 65 cm (25,6 in.) ; Width : 24,5 cm (9,7 in.) ; Depth : 24,5 cm (9,7 in.)

Rare pair of gilded and silvered bronze candle holders with engraved shafts decorated with rings embellished with colored cabochons in imitation of semi-precious stones. The religious character of these candles is recalled by the presence of angels in medallions in the center of the shaft, and by the presence of members of the Holy Family in a mandorla on each side of the tripod foot.
A rich bestiary of fantastic animals inspired by the Middle Ages adorns the whole.

The abundance of details transforms these candle holders from simple utilitarian objects during a religious celebration into a decorative artwork.

Biography

Placide Poussielgue-Rusand (1824-1889) is a Parisian goldsmith and bronze maker known above all for his liturgical objects (chalices, ciboriums, patens, monstrances, etc.) and church bronzes (altar candlesticks, candelabra, chandeliers, lamps, altar cross and processional cross, altar…). In 1849 he took over the Maison Choiselat-Gallien. His sense of commerce allowed him to organize his production of modular objects, sold in catalogs, in an industrial manner. In 1862, his company employed 250 workers.
Recognized by his peers, officer of the Legion of Honor and bearing the title of Goldsmith of NSP the Pope, he won prizes at the universal exhibitions from 1851 to 1878. He chaired the goldsmith’s jury in 1889. On the death of Placide Poussielgue-Rusand in 1889, the company took the name of Maison Poussielgue-Rusand Fils, managed by his son, Maurice Poussielgue-Rusand (1861-1933), then his grandson, Jean-Marie Poussielgue -Rusand (1895-1967) who ended the company’s activity in 1963.