A large pair of French 19th century gilt and patinated bronze eight light candelabraIn the manner of Claude Michallon (1751-1799)The figures (likely to be) Zephyr and his wife Flora, each holding aloft a pair of four-branch candelabra, three with scrolling arms and a central urn-shaped sconce, both standing on ormolu spheres and rouge marble and gilt bronze mounted plinth bases, together with a pair of later composition stone pedestals, 56cm wide, 38cm deep, 139cm high (22in wide, 14 1/2in deep, 54 1/2in high) The pedestals: 82cm high, (4)注脚The above pair of figural candelabra are after a model by Claude Michallon made for the Palace of Saint Cloud for the Empress' Grand Salon in her apartment. The supporting figures are probably 'Flore and Zéphire' from an act in the ballet choreographed by Charles-Louis Didelot to music by Cesare Bossi which premiered in London at the King's Theatre, Haymarket on Thursday, 7 July 1796. The ballet tells the story of Zephyr, the fickle west wind, and his wife Flora, a nymph of flowers and springtime.Literature: For a similar pair see: L'Heure Le Feu La Lumiere, Les Bronzes Du Mobililer National 1800-1870 by Marie-France Duuy-Baylet, page 55. A close comparable pair of four branch candelabra supported by figures of Flora and Zephyr by Claude Michallon was offered for sale by Koller, Zurich 26 March 2009, lot 1204.As well as Claude Michallon, comparisons can be made to the other two great sculptors working in bronze in Paris in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Pierre-Philippe Thomire and Claude Galle. A similar pair of figures of Apollo and Diana supporting nearly identical candle branches dated circa 1815 was made by Claude Galle for the Château de Fontainebleau, which is illustrated, Ottomeyer, Pröschel et al., op. cit., Munich, 1986, Vol. I, p. 390, no. 5.17.3. and a pair of candelabra supported by Winged Victories by Galle can be found on p. 357, no 5.10.7 which resides in the Charlottenzimmer, Residenz in München.Another example is in the Würzburger Residenz, and a pair from the Demidoff Collection was sold at San Donato, Florence, 1880, lot. 940.