Pair of fireplace sconces depicting “The Chilly Lovers”—gilded bronze with a patina, 19th century.

A beautiful pair of chiseled and gilded bronze fireplace sconces, combined with bronze elements featuring a brown patina, depicting two winged Cupids—portrayed as a little boy and a little girl—warming themselves by flaming braziers.

These two charming compositions, designed as a pair, revisit the theme of the “chilly Cupids,” a particularly evocative subject that fits within the tradition of 18th-century allegorical representations. Also evoking Winter, these small figures naturally convey the sensation of cold and the comfort provided by the warmth of the fire.

Seated on molded terraces, the two Cupids adopt slightly different poses. Their chubby bodies, partially draped in soft, deeply defined folds, are beautifully proportioned. Their small, outstretched wings are finely chiseled, revealing the detail of the feathers.

Particular attention was paid to the facial expressions. The little boy, with slightly furrowed brows and pursed lips, seems frozen with cold, while the little girl, with a more animated face, holds out her open hands toward the flames. The modeling of the skin tones, the rendering of the hair, and the precision of the tiny fingers attest to particularly meticulous sculptural work.

In front of each figure stands a gilded bronze brazier, consisting of a bowl with a fluted body, whose opening is highlighted by an elegant twisted molding. Each bowl rests on a tripod base ending in goat’s feet, a motif borrowed from the ancient ornamental repertoire. Large, dynamic flames burst forth from them, their defined contours and chiseled details accentuating the impression of movement.

The compositions rest on architecturally styled gilded bronze bases, inspired by Neoclassicism and characteristic of the Louis XVI ornamental vocabulary. The openwork bands feature a decoration of foliage scrolls arranged around a central oval medallion, surmounting a scalloped motif. The corner blocks are adorned with rosettes and extended by small, tapered, fluted feet, accented with geometric motifs. Rows of beads and small moldings provide rhythm to the different levels of the bases.

The combination of the brown-patinated bronze of the figures and the gilding of the braziers and bases creates a particularly harmonious contrast, highlighting the volumes and the richness of the sculpted details.

Created in the 19th century, likely in its second half, this pair follows the tradition of French decorative bronzes inspired by the neoclassical models of the reign of Louis XVI. The theme of Cupids warming themselves by the fire was particularly well-suited to fireplace ornamentation, establishing a direct link between the function of these objects and their allegorical representation.

Beautiful proportions, a balanced composition, and expressive chiseling characterize this pair of small fireplace hearths, which are as interesting for their subject matter as for the quality of their craftsmanship.

Dimensions of each mantelpiece:
- Height: 22 cm
- Width: 18.7 cm
- Depth: 9.5 cm

Ref: UNSW46SEGP