A PAIR OF LATE 18TH / EARLY 19TH CENTURY FRENCH GILT BRONZE CANDLESTICKS AFTER THE MODEL BY CORNEILLE VAN CLEVE (1645-1732) modelled as a nymph riding a dolphin and a satyr seated on a panther, the nymph holding a further dolphin which issues the acanthus wrapped, urn shaped candle nozzle, the satyr holding a cornucopia issuing the candle sconce, raised on pierced Rococo style asymmetric bases,  38cm high (2) This extremely decorative model has been ascribed to the sculptor Corneille Van Clève (1645-1732), who is known to have supplied models to his brother-in-law, the goldsmith Nicolas de Launay (1646-1727), to be cast in silver, and an inventory of his workshop describes the models for these candelabra. A drawing attributed to Van Cleve also depicts a very similar pair of candlesticks. The design was reproduced throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries, and a pair in gilt bronze were produced for Louis XIV's chambre du Roi at Versailles, and a further pair is in the Wallace Collection.  Related literature: P. Hughes, The Wallace Collection of Furniture, London 1996 Vol.III p. 120. F. Souchal, French Sculptors, the Reign of Louis XIV, London 1987, Vol.III p. 398 n.72 An 18th century pair was in the collection of Mrs Charles Allen, sold Sotheby's New York, 1 November 1997, lot 44 ($162,000 with premium).