Pair of candlesticks (flambeaux or chandeliers) 1735 - 1750

Curator: Here we have a magnificent pair of bronze gilt candlesticks, also known as flambeaux or chandeliers. They were crafted sometime between 1735 and 1750 by Juste Aurèle Meissonnier, an artist known for his exuberant Rococo designs. Editor: Wow, they are pure flamboyant gold! If I had a pair, I would instantly feel like the Sun King himself, hosting extravagant parties. There's an undeniable energy, it looks like solidified movement frozen in time. Curator: Indeed. Meissonnier's work perfectly encapsulates the Rococo aesthetic—a style favored by European elites for its playful and ornamental forms. Consider how this piece departs from more structured or rigid Baroque predecessors. It embraces asymmetry and a kind of wildness that signaled status and wealth. Editor: Status, alright! To me, this golden sculpture is almost like a baroque ocean wave, constantly swirling and brimming with visual puns. The whole piece appears to defy gravity! I would totally imagine candlelight dancing in every curve. Curator: These were created in an era of burgeoning consumerism, which fuelled the Decorative Arts and were central to demonstrating power, literally illuminating one's social status and ambitions. Meissonnier’s patrons were a powerful consumer base that sought dramatic statements. Editor: That makes sense. Imagine these gracing a grand dining table, strategically lit in an age before electricity! It is all so purposeful, with drama that probably bordered on madness. It feels less about calm admiration and more about a calculated sense of 'look at what I can have!' Curator: Exactly, this pair speaks volumes about the intertwined roles of art and societal display, a manifestation of opulence. Editor: Yes, there's nothing discreet about it! A fabulous relic of a very showy past, captured for a quiet appreciation today.