FERDINAND BARBEDIENNE: A FINE PAIR OF MID 19TH CENTURY NEO-GREC  GILT AND PATINATED BRONZE AND ROUGE GRIOTTE MARBLE CANDELABRA AFTER THE MODEL BY HENRY CAHIEUX the bodies modelled as fluted urns with a border of scrolling gilt vines, with a pair of handles modelled with Bacchic masks, issuing six foliate branches terminating in urn shaped nozzles centred by a gilt bronze model of a stork, the circular feet signed 'F. BARBEDIENNE', over stepped, square marble bases and gilt paw feet, 78cm high (2) These fine candelabra are of very similar form to a pair offered at Christie's, London, 20 March 2003 lot 25. The design for the Christie's pair is illustrated in the 1855 Paris Great Exhibition Catalogue, p.40, together with another vase, where it is stated that 'The two vases (...) selected from many exquisite and beautiful decorative works in bronze from the atelier of Messrs. Barbedienne & Cie, of Paris; they are formed, and ornamented, on the best models of the ancient Greeks'. The present pair of vase candelabra have different handles but are otherwise directly comparable.