Pair of sculptures; Empire period, France, circa 1810. Mercury gilt bronze and bluing bronze. They have faults caused by the passage of time. Measurements: 95 x 22 cm; 95 x 27 cm. Pair of sculptures with gilded bronze base and bluing bronze figures. The pieces have a similar aesthetic, although they differ slightly from each other. Both have been adapted as the structure of the upper area reveals that they were originally conceived as candlesticks. Both works have the same square pillar-like base design. The pieces have a square base on which sits a base decorated with a moulding decorated with stylised acanthus leaves that run around the perimeter. This area gives way to the body, where figurative scenes can be seen in relief on each side. The front and back of the two bases are decorated with a winged figure holding a lion in reins, while the sides are depicted with a winged Victory holding a crown in each of her hands. The top of the base differs in the two cases, with one showing a lion's head and the other a small cloud. These features are essential for the iconographic identification of each of the figures, the one leaning on the lion being Hercules and the other Mercury. The two blued bronze sculptures show their anatomy in full, revealing idealised features of classical influence. The posture of both, with one foot on the base and the other free to support it, gives the piece a great lightness. In this particular case, the figure of Mercury stands out, with its bent leg reminiscent to a large extent of the famous sculpture by Giambologna, which belongs to the collection of the Museo Nazionale del Bargello (Florence). The case of Mercury is noteworthy, since while Hercules has no iconographic attribute, the god of commerce carries his usual caduceus with coiled serpents, his winged petasus (helmet), as well as having wings on his ankles.