Pair of French Gilt Bronze Two-Arm Candle SconcesLouis XV Rocaille Acanthus — France, Early 20th Century

The Louis XV rocaille sconce was one of the most considered inventions of the French decorative tradition. Its genius lay in the rejection of the backplate entirely — where every other wall sconce of the period anchored its arms to a flat surface, the rocaille sconce made the arm itself the composition, a single acanthus stem that curved away from the wall and resolved, at its tip, into the candle cup. The effect, on a panelled wall, was of something growing directly from the boiserie — organic, weightless, alive.

This pair is French, early twentieth century, cast in gilt bronze with the confidence of a foundry working from a well-modelled original. Each sconce rises from a scrolled acanthus foot — the wall bracket that curves gracefully away from the mounting point — before dividing into two arms: one sweeping wide to the left, one to the right, each chased along its length with smaller acanthus leaves that branch from the main stem at intervals and terminate in a tulip-form candle cup. The cups themselves are worked with overlapping petals in relief, the botanical detail that gives the composition its resolution at the tip. Note how the main stem does not simply fork at the junction but twists and crosses, the two arms emerging from an interleaving of forms rather than a mechanical split — the sculptural complexity that marks a serious rocaille casting. The gilt bronze is warm and even across both sconces, the natural variation of age giving each piece its own character within the matched pair.

The gilt is sound and present across both sconces; the casting is crisp at the acanthus detail throughout; both pieces are well matched in scale and tone. They stand ready for a dining room, a bedroom, or a panelled hallway — candles welcome.

They arrive professionally packed and fully insured. All duties and import charges are our responsibility — you pay nothing beyond the listed price. Returns are accepted within 30 days.

DETAILS:
Size: each — Height 36 cm (14.2 in) · Width 31.5 cm (12.4 in) · Depth 11 cm (4.3 in)
Material: gilt bronze
Style/Period: Louis XV rocaille, French, early 20th century
Weight: 2.1 kg the pair (4.6 lb)
Candle arms: two per sconce — non-electric; takes standard taper candles. can be made in to lamp on request
Shipping: professionally packed, fully insured, worldwide — all import duties paid by us, nothing to settle on delivery
Condition: very good vintage condition; gilt bronze sound and well matched across the pair; casting crisp throughout
Returns: accepted within 30 days

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

A decorative style is not a guarantee of a particular maker or date. See the individual listing for the stated attribution and period.

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.

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United Kingdom: UK import VAT is payable on delivery (5% for antiques over 100 years old, otherwise 20%).

Other destinations: local import taxes may apply and are payable by the recipient. Contact us before ordering if you would like guidance.

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