Style Napoleon III / Ref.14850

Maison Bernard, wrought iron craftsman, pair of richly decorated floor lamps, circa 1889

These monumental floor lamps were made circa 1889 by the the wrought-iron craftsman Antoine Bernard.

They each rest on three feet in the shape of lion's paws extending in the form of volutes covered with ornamental acanthus leaves; in the center, the scrolls join a central foot, masked by masks and leather straps. Higher up, the uprights are hidden by a large shell. The central part is thin, then a large, richly decorated prominence announces the crowning of the floor lamp. Finally, a vase receives the glass ball of the luminaire, itself crowned with a small radiant circle of algae.

One of the original opaque glass balls was carved with harmonious streaks forming a translucent star; the same pattern was reproduced on the other, in order to restore the harmony of the pair and return the lamp to its original appearance.

Bernard took part in the Universal Exhibitions of 1889 and 1900 in Paris. Several examples of this floor lamp were exhibited at the 1889 exhibition. They were listed as "Louis XIV candelabras" in La Construction Moderne of 21 December 1889, which, following on from the previous edition of 14 December, listed the "remarkable samples of [the] art [of ironwork]" at that year's Exhibition; this mention was accompanied by an engraving. Bernard also presented two "consoles in the Louis XIV style" at the exhibition, which are probably similar in style to our light fittings.

The Bernard company responded to very prestigious orders. She notably executed the Honor Gate, or Rooster Gate, of the Élysée Palace, in 1900. This gate has many characteristics in common with the two lamps: the same monumentality, the same foliage ornaments bring them together.