1278 - Large electrified bronze torch holder, Beaux Arts style, 1920s

Large electrified bronze torch holder, Beaux Arts style, 1920s Patinated and partially gilded bronze. Measures 154 x 70 x 30 cm. Standing female figure, conceived with an elegant contrapposto that balances the body's weight on one leg while the other extends gently forward, creating a serpentine line of striking dynamism. The right arm is raised, holding a torch as a light source, treated as both a symbolic and functional element, while the left arm extends gracefully, reinforcing the sense of movement and lightness. The face, with idealized features and a serene expression, is framed by an updo with flowing waves, evoking classical models reinterpreted with a modern sensibility. The figure wears a Hellenistic-inspired tunic, cinched under the bust and rendered with fluid folds that cling to the body, alternating areas of dark bronze with gilded surfaces that accentuate the anatomical modeling and the overall visual richness. The bronze treatment reveals meticulous craftsmanship, with polished surfaces that interact with areas of deeper patina, emphasizing volumes, tactile qualities, and light effects. The work belongs to the late 19th-century French decorative sculpture tradition, marked by academic taste and the reinterpretation of classicism, very much present in salon sculptures and artistic light fixtures intended for bourgeois interiors, where the ornamental function merges with a high level of technical and aesthetic skill, giving the piece a refined presence and a strong visual impact.