Pierre Chiboust, Pair of candlesticks signed with winged victory figures, Empire period.

A rare pair of candlesticks by Pierre Chiboust, shaped like kneeling winged Victories, holding the binet aloft with their hands outstretched. The binet is designed to resemble a woven wicker basket containing a bouquet of assorted flowers. 

This pose symbolizes the kanephores of ancient Greece (from the Greek kanephoros: “basket-bearer”); noble young women selected to lead sacred processions. They carried heavy baskets on their heads containing offerings, flowers, fruits, and ritual knives intended for sacrifices.
Here, the bronze Victories, with a brown patina, are dressed in a chiton and wear the krobylos. The wicker baskets, meanwhile, are actually made of chiseled and gilded bronze. All display great finesse and high-quality chiseling.
The ensemble rests on a rectangular base of red griotte marble featuring applied chiseled and gilded bronze decorations such as:
A wreath of flowers with a ribbon tied in a flowing knot, two cartouches containing a sunflower, two bouquets of water leaves enclosed in stylized leaf calyxes (reminiscent of the base of an ancient vase), and a frieze of small flowers.
A gilded bronze counter-plinth, accented by a frieze of heart-shaped motifs, frames the red marble base.

During the Empire period, artisans imbued furniture and everyday objects with symbolism based on decorative elements. These elements, inspired by ancient Greece and Rome, could represent virtue, fidelity, family values, abundance, courage, and so on.
Here, on this pair of candlesticks, the cephale and the basket symbolize, respectively, triumph, peace, and abundance.

An identical piece sold at Sotheby’s on June 29, 2023, lot 654.

In fine condition.

Signed “CHI” on several bronze pieces, for Pierre Chiboust (1779–1824)

Empire period.

Pierre Chiboust
(Sometimes spelled Chibout)
An important French bronze artist of the Empire period, born in 1779 and died in 1824.
Active in Paris in the early 19th century, his major productive period spanned from 1806 to 1824.
His work is distinguished by the high quality of his chasing and gilding, typical of the decorative arts under Napoleon I.
As early as 1806, Pierre Chiboust went into partnership with the famous founder and chaser Claude François Rabiat.
Upon Rabiat’s death in 1815, Chiboust took full control of his Parisian workshop.
He is primarily known for his lighting fixtures and fine decorative objects. The art market still features remarkable pieces by him, such as a pair of palmette-decorated wall sconces, signed incense burners, Medici vases, and prestigious Empire-period candelabras and torches—some of which are inspired by the designs of the famous architects, Percier and Fontaine.

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