Antique Louis XVI Style Napoleon III Era Bronze and Marble Candlesticks

Here is a beautiful pair of Antique Louis XVI Style Napoleon III Era Bronze and Marble Candlesticks. These candlesticks feature gilded bronze scrolling accents with gilded bronze finial and feet. Surrounded in a lovely white marble base and support. Candlesticks are in excellent condition with only very minor wear consistent with age. A finely detail and quality set. French, mid 19th century.

Measures approx. 11”H

About the Louis XVI style:

The Louis XVI style refers to a period of French decorative arts and interior design that took place during the reign of Louis XVI, who was the King of France from 1774 to 1792. This style is part of the larger Neoclassical movement, which drew inspiration from classical Greek and Roman art and architecture. The Louis XVI style emerged in the second half of the 18th century as a reaction against the exuberant and ornate Rococo style that characterized the earlier part of the century.

Key characteristics of the Louis XVI style include:

Neoclassical Influence: The Louis XVI style is strongly influenced by classical antiquity. Designers looked to ancient Greek and Roman art for inspiration, resulting in a more restrained and geometric aesthetic compared to the Rococo.

Symmetry and Proportion: Symmetry was a hallmark of Louis XVI design. Furniture, architecture, and decorative elements were often arranged in a balanced and symmetrical manner. Proportions were carefully considered to achieve a sense of harmony.

Straight Lines and Geometric Shapes: Unlike the curvilinear and asymmetrical forms of the Rococo, Louis XVI furniture and design favored straight lines and geometric shapes. This shift towards cleaner lines and simplicity reflected the influence of classical architecture.

Floral Motifs: While the Louis XVI style is generally more restrained, it did incorporate some decorative elements. Floral motifs, swags, and garlands were commonly used in furniture, textiles, and other decorative arts.

Inlay and Marquetry: Furniture pieces in the Louis XVI style often featured delicate inlay and marquetry work. This involved the use of contrasting woods and other materials to create intricate patterns and designs on the surface of furniture.

Lighter Color Palette: The color palette of the Louis XVI style tended to be lighter and more subdued compared to the bold colors of the Rococo. Soft pastels, whites, and light grays were commonly used.

Reference to Classical Themes: Some Louis XVI furniture and decorative elements featured classical themes such as Greek key patterns, urns, laurel wreaths, and other symbols from antiquity.

The Louis XVI style was prevalent in the last decades of the 18th century, and it extended into the early years of the 19th century. It played a significant role in the evolution of French design and had a lasting impact on subsequent furniture and interior design movements.