Pair of Silver Candelabra, Paris, Louis XVI Period

Extremely rare pair of solid silver three-light candelabra.

The central candlestick rests on a circular base adorned with acanthus friezes. It is surmounted by a fluted baluster stem decorated with laurel leaf garlands, and an ovoid drip pan that holds the candle holder. The holder features three arms spiraled in arabesques, supporting cups with foliate bases and candle holders. The arms are connected to a conical base embellished with lion heads and surmounted by a removable floral bouquet that serves as a snuffer.

In very fine condition.

Mark of the silversmith Pierre-François Goguely.

Discharge mark used during the period 1783-1789, under the supervision of Henri Clavel, Keeper of the Furniture at the Paris Mint.

Hallmarks for charge and discharge.
Guardian's mark "crowned letter V", registered in Paris between November 19, 1786, and November 19, 1787.

Parisian work by the goldsmith Pierre François Goguely, Paris, Louis XVI period, circa 1786-1787.

Weight: 3 741 grams

Pierre-François Goguelye (or Gogly) was a Parisian goldsmith who became a master in 1768. He completed a six-year apprenticeship and a four-year journeyman's apprenticeship at the Gobelins workshops, under the direction of Antoine Lambert, royal goldsmith; in 1765, he obtained a certificate to this effect from the Marquis de Marigny. A document from 1771 mentions Lambert's widow under the name Marie-François Goguely, suggesting a family connection with her master. Goguelye registered his trademark in 1768; in 1781, he was listed as having a workshop on Rue de la Licorne, and from 1783 to 1793 on Rue Saint-Landry.

Another pair of candelabra by Pierre François Goguelye is known; it appeared in the Lily and Edmond Safra Sotheby’s New York sale on October 18, 2011, lot 844 ($114,000).

Our opinion:

Few large pieces of silverware were produced during the reign of Louis XVI, primarily due to the very heavy taxation of silver at that time. Inventories show that large, multi-armed candelabra were found only in the homes of the kingdom's elite (court nobility, prelates, wealthy bankers, etc.).

A large majority of these pieces disappeared during the revolutionary melting down: following a decree of 1793, the National Convention ordered the melting down of secular silver to replenish the national treasury; private mansions, castles, and grand houses were forced to surrender all their silverware under threat of severe prosecution.
Our pair of candelabra survived these terrible events and has come down to us in perfect condition, complete with its candle holders and snuffers, making it an extremely rare example.