Attributed to Claude Galle (French, 1759-1815): A pair of early 19th century bronze and marble figural twin light candelabra
circa 1815
formed as Grecian maidens clad in formalised classical robes holding candle arms formed as cornucopiae with bird cast nozzles, raised on rouge marble square bases, 28.5cm high overall
Footnotes:
The son of a farmer, Claude Galle rose beyond his humble roots to become an important bronze caster and gilder by the end of the 18th century. Although very rarely marking his works and producing in a variety of styles popular at the end of the 18th and start of the 19th century, he collaborated with numerous other craftsmen, and scholars.

By 1784 Galle had become extremely successful, producing mounts for furniture, clocks, and other objects in gilt bronze for the palaces of Fontainebleau, Versailles, Saint-Cloud, and Compiègne in his workshop and he was made a master bronzier in 1786.

After the French Revolution, Galle continued to produce numerous pieces for Napoleon Bonaparte, receiving an order worth more than 65,000 francs for the Château of Saint-Cloud. As many of his clients were slow to pay their bills, however, he fell increasingly into debt. In 1811 he was even forced to write a begging letter to the government asking for its help and protection reminding them of the awards he had won, the large family he had to feed, and the four hundred employees who depended on him for their jobs. However, he died in poverty four years later, having been forced to close his shop.