Pair of candelabra with Winged Victories

Winged Victories, symbols of military triumph, were a staple of Napoleonic decoration. These candelabra are comprised of Hellenistic winged figures of Nike or Victory, arms upraised and supporting floral wreaths from which branch ten candle sockets decorated with fluting, acanthus leaves, and spirals. Torches of flowers in the center are supported by spirals. The rectangular bases with wreaths in relief and stylized artichokes support the figures above.

Similar candelabra were designed by Charles Percier (1764–1838) for the boudoir of Empress Josephine at the Château de Saint-Cloud, where they were identified in the 1805 and 1807 inventories. Percier's original drawing of his candelabra (entitled Pieces of furniture in a "boudoir") is in the Metropolitan Museum's collection.

Credit: Bequest of James Alexander Scrymser, 1918