Four-branched wall light in form of lyre (one of a set of four)

Unknown

1780s · Gilt bronze · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

The celebrated bronze worker Pierre Gouthière supplied a pair of wall lights in the form of a lyre with the head of Apollo and olive-leaf branches for the salon of the Duchess of Mazarin. Sold at auction in 1781, the pair was acquired by the Duchess of Mazarin’s daughter, Louise-Félicité-Victoire d’Aumont, Duchess of Valentinois. The model was very successful and was frequently reproduced but with some changes such as this set which is based on Gouthière’s design but is smaller in size.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1780s

Medium

Gilt bronze

Culture

French

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Bequest of Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 2019