19th-Century French Rococo Revival Bronze, Gilt Bronze & Onyx Putto Candlestick

French single-light candlestick, likely late 19th century, designed in the Rococo Revival taste. A dark patinated bronze winged putto climbs the scrolling stem beneath a floral-form candle cup and pierced bobeche. The figure is set above a richly modeled gilt-bronze rocaille base inset with natural onyx panels, with scrolling foliate feet and asymmetrical shellwork.

The contrast of patinated bronze, gilt bronze and translucent banded onyx is characteristic of elaborate French decorative bronzes produced during the later 19th century. Similar French examples combining putti with gilt-bronze mounts and stone bases are dated to the second half of the 19th century.

Materials: patinated bronze, gilt bronze, onyx
Origin: likely France
Date: c. 1870–1900
Style: Rococo Revival / Louis XV Revival
Form: single-light figural candlestick