Description: A FRENCH LATE 19TH CENTURY 'JAPONISME' GILT BRONZE FLOORSTANDING TORCHÈRE/OIL LAMP The adjustable stem surmounted by a pierced floral reservoir, on a tripod base with rim above a sphere with three dragon heads, tripods flanked by double headed dragon cast drop handles, joined by a pierced circular stretcher centred by a bird within a woven cast rim, on scroll feet, each terminating on an Oriental cartouche centred by a seated Buddha. N.B. this Japonisme torchère appears to be after a design by Édouard Lièvre, based on stylistic similarity to other bronze works of art that feature similar pierced foliage, mythological beasts and scrolling mounts, the pierced foliate decoration to the lower section of the oil lamp is reminiscent of the layered decoration found on the Persian Vase made by Barbedienne after a design by Édouard Lièvre and exhibited in The Paris 1878 Universal Exhibition, see a similar decorated pair sold at Bonhams, 4th December 2008, Lot 152, £36,900, the use of the crossed/weaved decoration used on this oil lamp stand three times, is typical of Lièvre's work and can also be found to the top rim of the table for his famous 'Aquarium Japonisant', D. Alcouffe, Connaissance des Arts, Édouard Lièvre, Paris, 2004, no. 228, p. 31 Size: w 42cm x depth 42cm, fully extended w 170cm x depth 16.5' x h 66.5'