MATHIEU LUSTRERIE | Claude Galle empire Chandelier

£0.00

Height

160 cm / 62.99 inch

Diameter

96 cm / 37.80 inch

Weight

70.00 kg / 154.35 lbs

Empire chandelier by Claude Galle 1804-1814. Gilded bronze. Reissue of Mathieu Lustrerie workshops. It was a time of imperial entrances, when cities welcomed the reigning monarch with great pomp. These events took place in a majestic setting, with ephemeral architectural decorations, artistic creations of all kinds in a collaboration between musicians, painters, sculptors and actors. Claude Galle designed this chandelier with these winged musicians to celebrate the Emperor's triumph, in keeping with this tradition of celebrating military victories. The expansion of the Empire propelled the eponymous style well beyond France's borders, influencing furniture in particular, with names such as Jacob and the artisans of the Faubourg Saint-Antoine. Among them was Claude Galle, a French bronze founder and gilder, who began working on gilding in his father-in-law Pierre Foy's foundry. With the support of Jean Hauré, he supplied furniture, clocks and lighting for prestigious residences such as Fontainebleau, Versailles, Saint-Cloud and Compiègne. The peak of his career came with the creation of this chandelier, which dates from the Empire period and precedes Galle's bankruptcy following Napoleon's defeat in 1812.

Height

160 cm / 62.99 inch

Diameter

96 cm / 37.80 inch

Weight

70.00 kg / 154.35 lbs

Empire chandelier by Claude Galle 1804-1814. Gilded bronze. Reissue of Mathieu Lustrerie workshops. It was a time of imperial entrances, when cities welcomed the reigning monarch with great pomp. These events took place in a majestic setting, with ephemeral architectural decorations, artistic creations of all kinds in a collaboration between musicians, painters, sculptors and actors. Claude Galle designed this chandelier with these winged musicians to celebrate the Emperor's triumph, in keeping with this tradition of celebrating military victories. The expansion of the Empire propelled the eponymous style well beyond France's borders, influencing furniture in particular, with names such as Jacob and the artisans of the Faubourg Saint-Antoine. Among them was Claude Galle, a French bronze founder and gilder, who began working on gilding in his father-in-law Pierre Foy's foundry. With the support of Jean Hauré, he supplied furniture, clocks and lighting for prestigious residences such as Fontainebleau, Versailles, Saint-Cloud and Compiègne. The peak of his career came with the creation of this chandelier, which dates from the Empire period and precedes Galle's bankruptcy following Napoleon's defeat in 1812.

About the designer

Recognised for their rare skills (EPV France) in restoring, re-editing and designing chandeliers using techniques from the 17th-20th centuries; Mathieu Lustrerie have been continually appointed by royal households and historic monuments to offer expert advice and restore and faithfully re-edit some of the world’s most celebrated projects. In addition to being an avid collector, Regis Mathieu has created contemporary collections adorned with rock crystal and semi precious stones, utilising the same cast bronze, hand chiseling and gilding techniques that were employed in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Founded in 1948 by Henri Mathieu in the Chutes-Lavie district of Marseille, the Mathieu Lustrerie Atelier has always associated its name with the art of the light. A family business in Provence. Henri Mathieu created a collection of lighting in 1970s of brushed aluminium blades, treating lights as sculpture. 

After Henri’s untimely death in 1982 the workshop was run by his wife Yvette. Then in early 1990 their son, Regis Mathieu assumed the helm. Fascinated by beautiful things since childhood, he immediately understands that his future is linked to history. He expanded sales to the United States and the Middle East, bringing the French style to a prestigious clientele. 

Régis Mathieu's exceptional collection of over 1000 chandeliers are showcased in both the Mathieu Museum in the Luberon and the Régis Mathieu Gallery in Paris. The objects of light are always presented alongside works of art, inviting you to take a walk through time from the 15th century to modern day.

The lighting of historic monuments, museums, and venerable homes often suffers from the scars of time, revolution or the reversal of fortune. The Mathieu Lustrerie atelier is capable of authentically re-fabricating exactly, any light fixture to the specification of the archives, drawings or photos.