Pair of 19th Century French Louis XVI Goat Heads Three-Light Wall Lights/Sconces

A pair Louis XVI style gilt bronze three-branch wall lights, each with a backplate the lower part of which is in the shape of a goat’s head resting on a foliage arabesque. The upper part of the backplate in the shape of an ivy-wrought stem being crowned by a stylized pinacle adorned with a large wavy ribbon bow, so-called Fontange ribbons. Scrolled candle arms with foliage and eagles’ heads, the nozzles with acanthus leaf decoration.
Excellently chiseled and gilt impressive pair of Louis XVI wall lights or sconces. Former electrification had been removed, but the pair of sconces can easily be fitted for electrification if needed (see photo).

The pair shows elements of decoration which are inspired by designs of one of the most prominent French bronziers of the Louis XVI period like Pierre Gouthière (1732-1813). Received maître doreur in 1758, he was to become one of the most famous ciseleur-doreurs of the Louis XVI period. Gouthière frequently used the motifs of the goats’ and eagles’ heads as seen on his candelabras, sconces and chandeliers. Also, ivy-wrought stems with a crowning pinacle as well as Fontange ribbons as seen here can be observed in the work of Gouthière.

See: Charlotte Vignon, Christian Baulez: Pierre Gouthière Ciseleur-Doreur due Roi, New York/The Frick Collection, 2016, p. 219, no. 21
Ottomeyer/Pröschel: Vergoldete Bronzen, Munich, 1986, 2 vol., Vol. I, p. 164, fig. 4.9.2