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Four Continents Torchères by Miroy Frères
- This complete set of four monumental torchères represents the Four Continents
- Each nearly 7 1/2-foot torchère was cast by the celebrated Parisian firm Miroy Frères
- This set reflects the worldliness and sophistication of its era
- The set comes from the collection of former UAE Ambassador Mohammed Mahdi Al-Tajir
- Get complete item description here
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Miroy Frères
Late 19th century
These extraordinary Four Continents torchères by Miroy Frères represent the height of 19th-century French decorative artistry. Rising well over 7 feet high, the complete ensemble personifies Europe, Asia, Africa and America through four commanding female figures, each holding an elaborate six-light ormolu candelabrum aloft. Complete sets of this monumental scale are exceptionally rare, giving the ensemble extraordinary presence.
The allegory of the Four Continents was. . .
Miroy Frères
Late 19th century
These extraordinary Four Continents torchères by Miroy Frères represent the height of 19th-century French decorative artistry. Rising well over 7 feet high, the complete ensemble personifies Europe, Asia, Africa and America through four commanding female figures, each holding an elaborate six-light ormolu candelabrum aloft. Complete sets of this monumental scale are exceptionally rare, giving the ensemble extraordinary presence.
The allegory of the Four Continents was a longstanding tradition in European decorative arts, using personified figures and recognizable attributes to evoke the wider world. Miroy Frères translates this celebrated theme into spectacular monumental form. Africa appears as an elegant maiden adorned with Egyptian-inspired gilded jewelry. America wears animal skins and a dramatic feathered headdress, while Europe recalls classical sculpture with her graceful drapery. Asia is distinguished by a turban and richly modeled garments. The set is crafted of patinated metal with ormolu candelabra and marble-topped ormolu stands.
At this scale, the survival of all four figures as a complete ensemble is particularly remarkable. Further distinguished by important provenance, the torchères come from the collection of Mohammed Mahdi Al-Tajir, the former United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the United Kingdom and one of the era's most prominent international collectors. Al-Tajir amassed an extraordinary fortune and was widely described during the 1970s and 1980s as one of the world's wealthiest men.
Each torchère bears the signature of Miroy Frères, a prominent Parisian bronze firm that earned international recognition at the great exhibitions of the mid-19th century and enjoyed royal patronage. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert acquired monumental Miroy Frères sculptures for the terraces of Osborne House, where examples remain in the Royal Collection. Exceptionally rare and visually commanding, this complete ensemble represents French decorative art at its most theatrical.
Each: 90" high x 26" diameter
Provenance:
Private collection
Collection of H.E. Mohammed Mahdi Al-Tajir, United Kingdom
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
Buy With Confidence
For over a century, we've placed important art, rare jewels and exceptional objects with more than 14,000 collectors worldwide, and have been recognized by trusted publications including Robb Report, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and more.
On Approval
Examine select works in person before you commit
125% Guarantee
Full credit plus 5% annual appreciation for five years
Trusted Expertise
Over two centuries of combined experience across our specialists
