Bronze Candlestick Converted to Lamp, Salamander Motif, Style of Barbedienne, 19th Century

The salamander carried real symbolic weight in French decorative bronze — the creature had been King François I's personal emblem centuries earlier, and its reappearance on nineteenth-century decorative objects was a deliberate nod backward to that Renaissance imagery rather than a random animal choice. Here it appears in fine relief along the shaft, distinct enough in its detailing to be the piece's clear focal point.

The candlestick is built in the manner associated with Ferdinand Barbedienne's foundry — known for precise chiseled bronze work and a taste for reviving earlier decorative motifs — with a fluted column rising from a tripod base finished in claw feet and acanthus leaf ornament. It's since been converted from candle to electric use, a common and practical fate for bronze candlesticks of real quality rather than something to disguise.

The bronze carries a dark brown patina with original gilt highlights, giving genuine contrast between the recessed and raised surfaces, along with light wear consistent with age. At 28 cm tall to the socket, it holds a compact but substantial presence for a desk, console, or bedside table.

It arrives professionally packed and fully insured — we handle the paperwork and worldwide shipping. This listing is for the lamp base only; no shade is included. Returns are accepted within 30 days.

Details
Materials: chiseled bronze, gilt highlights
Dimensions: height (without shade) 28 cm (11 in)
Style: Napoleon III style, in the manner of Barbedienne
Condition: good vintage condition, light signs of age
Shade: not included

Read our condition standard. Please ask if you need additional photographs or measurements.

Worldwide delivery is included in the price. Every piece is individually packed, tracked and fully insured. No shipping charge is added at checkout. If your destination is not listed, please contact us before ordering.

Maison Jaspers pays US tariffs and import duties. For other destinations, local import taxes and duties may apply and are payable by the recipient. Contact us before ordering if you need destination-specific guidance.

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Delivery information

Notify us within 30 days of delivery if you wish to return a piece. No reason is required. You pay return shipping for a change-of-mind return.

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