Exceptional pair of candelabra in gilded and patinated bronze and cherry red marble, Louis XVI period, late 18th century.
 Two vestals with exceptional chasing, in bronze with brown patina, each hold in their hands a finely chiseled gilded bronze foliage ending in a bobeche with a row of pearls and gadroons. From the cushioning of their heads emerges a cushion with pompoms from which springs a bouquet of three twisted sconces, gathered around an amphora vase ending in the ultimate chandelier.
 These two vestals rest on a pedestal in the form of a column on a square plinth in red cherry marble decorated, in the lower part, with a wreath of laurels and in the upper part, with a frieze of ovals.
 All of the gilding is exceptional for a pair of candelabra in their original condition.
 French work of rare and unique quality by François Rémond.
 
 Only one other known identical model is found in the green hall of the Catherine Palace in Saint Petersburg (except the marble, white). Photos attached to those of the candelabra.
 
 Louis XVI period, late 18th century.
 
 François Rémond's compositions are easily recognizable thanks to their similarity with other pieces, and in particular, the pair of children's candelabras bought by Count Stroganoff directly from the merchant mercer Dominique Daguerre in 1785 (then sold at Christie's New-York on June 21, 2012, lot 1200 and the one in the Wallace Collection in London). On the model of Stroganoff, the arms with large twisted grooves are a signature of Rémond.
 
 François Rémond (around 1747-1812)
 Like Pierre Gouthière, he was one of the most important Parisian carvers and gilders of the last third of the 18th century. He began his apprenticeship in 1763 and obtained his master's degrees in 1774. His talent immediately enabled him to build up a rich clientele, including certain personalities of the Court. But above all François Rémond, through the intermediary of the merchant-mercer Dominique Daguerre, participated in the furnishing of most of the great collectors of the late 18th century by providing cases of clocks, andirons, candelabra ... very high quality of execution and particularly refined and innovative compositions which made its fame.
 
 Very rare art object.