Set of four three-light wall brackets

Jacques Confesseur|Charles Cressent

ca. 1745–49 · Gilt bronze · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The tails of the parrots, perched on a shell-shaped rocaille, form an integral part of the overall design that has been attributed to Charles Cressent (1685-1768). They may have been cast and chased by Jacques Confesseur who collaborated with Cressent. In the catalogues of two sales that Cressent organized of his stock in 1749 and 1757 several pairs of wall lights with parrots of either lacquered bronze or gilded bronze were listed. Strictly against guild regulations, Cressent, who was trained both as a cabinetmaker and a sculptor, had furniture mounts, wall-lights, firedogs, and other furnishings of gilt bronze made in his own workshop. This brought him into conflict with the guild of casters and gilders on various occasions. Although this model was very popular and repeated a number of times, these wall lights are stamped with a crowned C, a tax mark in use between February of 1745 and February of 1749.

Artist

Jacques Confesseur|Charles Cressent

Date

ca. 1745–49

Medium

Gilt bronze

Culture

French

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

The Lesley and Emma Sheafer Collection, Bequest of Emma A. Sheafer, 1973