Pair of Bronze Putti Torcheres Attributed to v. Paillard, France, Circa 1870

Measures: Total height: 262 cm (103 in.)
Height of torcheres: 180 cm (70,8 in.); width : 75 cm (29,5 in.)
Height of base: 82 cm (32,3 in.); diameter of base: 52 cm (20,5 in.).

Many of Paillard’s bronze pieces are now displayed in private collections as well as in renowned fine arts museums, such in the Dahesh Museum of Art in New York, exhibiting Sappho (1851). In Paris, the “Quai d’Orsay” (French Foreign Office) still presents since the 1855’s some great pieces by Paillard (clocks, candelabra and torcheres) in the Main Hall, the Congress Hall and the Salon of the Ambassadors. As for its Clock Room, Paillard made the clock which gave its name to the Room.

Victor Paillard (1805-1886) was one of the most distinguished bronze casters in Paris during the second half of the 19th Century. He was taught chasing by Jean-François Denière (1774-1866), then opened in the 1830’s his own workshop making “Art bronzes and Furnishing bronzes”, settled n°105, boulevard Beaumarchais in Paris. He executed first small objects, then cast statuettes, candelabra, clocks as well as impressive sized torcheres. He appeared to the public for the first time at the Industrial Products Exhibition of 1839 and worked for the greatest French sculptors, such as Pradier, Barye and Carrier-Belleuse.