Bronze Candlesticks - Late 19th Century and who made them?

Discussion in 'Metalware' started by justjeff, Oct 17, 2019.

  1. justjeff

    justjeff Active Member

    Hi all, I've again ventured into a realm I'm pretty unfamiliar with... antique metalware. I have this pair of candlesticks and thanks to some internet searching I've seen a couple that look exactly the same auctioned off as late 19th Century French bronze... one describes them as "Charles X" and another as "After Barye", both of which mean little to me. They appear to be the exact same pattern though I was able to see the feet on one set and they didn't have the numbers stamped on them like mine do. Both sticks have the numbers "3734" on them. Do they have any significance? What can you all tell me about these. Thanks so much for any help you can offer :) Oh, these are about 11 1/2" tall.

    IMG_7209_crop.jpg IMG_7200_for.jpg IMG_7205_for.jpg IMG_7209_for.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2019
    justjeff, Oct 17, 2019
    #1
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  2. Mill Cove Treasures

    Mill Cove Treasures Well-Known Member

    I enlarged the numbers. It looks like the one on the right has another number or letter after the 4 or, maybe it's a scratch. larger.jpg
     
    Mill Cove Treasures, Oct 17, 2019
    #2
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  3. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    These are beautiful.
     
    antidiem, Oct 17, 2019
    #3
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  4. justjeff

    justjeff Active Member

    I cropped my original so that the quality was better and added it to the OP. I think it's a scratch or just discoloration/oxidation.
     
    justjeff, Oct 17, 2019
    #4
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  5. ulilwitch

    ulilwitch Well-Known Member

    I found this on pinterest. It says it was on ebay but I can't find original.
    Unique Pair French Antique Art Nouveau Bronze patinated salamander Lizard Candlesticks after or inspired by Antoine-Louis Barye (1795 - 1875). Dated approx. 1880 - 1900. These sticks are finished with a grey / bronze grey surface. candlesticks.jpg
     
    ulilwitch, Oct 17, 2019
    #5
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  6. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    They're WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:singing::singing::singing::):)
     
    Aquitaine, Oct 17, 2019
    #6
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  7. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

    They ARE very nice, very very "clean" though ..do they have the look of age to you? Any good old grime in the recesses?

    Could they be high quality but more modern than 19thc? Just putting that out there.
     
    blooey, Oct 17, 2019
    #7
  8. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    Agreed, the metal does look newer, although the felt bases could have been recently replaced.
     
    antidiem, Oct 17, 2019
    #8
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  9. justjeff

    justjeff Active Member

    Sorry for the delay, I've been out of town a few days. Just curious... if there isn't a bunch of grime, can that not also mean it's been cleaned at some point? I use similar observations (base/shelf wear) to date glass but that's because you can't wipe away scratches. Doesn't appear terribly dirty/grimy. A run back and forth down the column with a cotton swab resulted in this...
     

    Attached Files:

    justjeff, Oct 21, 2019
    #9
  10. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    Indeed they do look cleaner than old generally looks. I cannot guess what could be fake vertigris or some other finish, without the item in hand.

    I would caution you to be careful with the cotton swabs.
     
    antidiem, Oct 21, 2019
    #10
  11. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    Could it be possible that the lizard, tops and bottoms with feet - are brass, while the center parts are bronze? The bottoms of the feet look very "brassy" to me.
     
    antidiem, Oct 21, 2019
    #11
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  12. justjeff

    justjeff Active Member

    I'm very new to ID'ing metalware... any non-destructive way for a novice to tell the difference between the two?
     
    justjeff, Oct 22, 2019
    #12
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