Pair Orientalist Bronze Palmette Candle Sconces Limoges Enamel Bather Plaques

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Pair of Belle Époque Orientalist Bronze Palmette Candle Sconces with Limoges Enamel Plaques
France, Circa 1890–1910

An exceptional pair of … Read more Pair of Belle Époque Orientalist Bronze Palmette Candle Sconces with Limoges Enamel Plaques
France, Circa 1890–1910

An exceptional pair of Belle Époque wall sconces combining finely pierced bronze work with hand-painted Limoges enamel plaques depicting classical female bathers. Richly decorative and highly sculptural, these unusual sconces reflect the fascination with Orientalist design that captivated French decorative arts at the turn of the twentieth century.

Each sconce is formed as a monumental radiating palmette or palm leaf, executed in intricately pierced bronze with extraordinary attention to detail. The openwork surfaces are covered in dense arabesque ornament composed of scrolling vines, stylized foliage, and repeating botanical motifs reminiscent of Moorish, Persian, and Indo-Islamic decorative traditions. The lace-like piercing recalls the refined metal screens and architectural ornament found throughout the Islamic world, creating a remarkable interplay of light and shadow across the surface.

At the center of each backplate is an oval Limoges enamel plaque depicting an idealized classical bather set within a romantic landscape. Rendered in jewel-like colors and delicate detail, the figures evoke themes of beauty, nature, and timeless femininity. The contrast between the richly textured bronze framework and the luminous enamel paintings creates a sophisticated visual balance characteristic of the finest French decorative arts of the period.

Below each plaque rests an elaborate bronze candle cup modeled as a lotus blossom or classical urn, further reinforcing the botanical character of the design. The combination of French enameling, classical imagery, and Islamic-inspired ornament embodies the eclectic luxury that defined the Belle Époque.

Dimensions: 17.5 inches high, 14.5 inches wide, 4 inches deep. Limoges enamel plaques measure 7 inches high by 5 inches wide. See less