7' tall 310 year old Antique Byzantine Bronze Candelabra by Claudion

[jim10e]

I have not been able to find anything like these in my research.

Does anyone know anything about these candelabra?

These items are 7' tall and weigh 250 lbs each.
There is a date of 1702 ad in Roman Numerals which is in cast which make them 311 years old.
These are signed by famous French sculptor Claudion.
There are many symbols including angels, gargoyles, and symbols from the Catholic Church.

[KC]

Can you please give us some background on the items?  Where did they come from?  Where are you located?

[mart]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290847772734&item=290847772734&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466
The date on the plate would not normally be the date these were cast since they are part of the sculpture !!  That would more likely be the date that the church was established !!  Date these were made would have been with the signature and inscribed by the sculptor !!

[ghopper1924]

Clodion was active later in the 18th century. He was born after 1702, so could not possibly have made them in that year.

If these are Clodion originals, then they'd be worth many thousands of $ American and should probably be in a museum.

Clodion was heavily copied in the 19th century. The copies would also have a facsimile of his signature, so just the appearance of the name does not mean he made them, or was even alive when they were made.

I know it seems unfair. The good news is that eve if they're 19th century reproductions they could STILL be worth good money, depending on the quality!

[mart]

He has them priced at $5 G !!

[cogar]

"and weigh 250 lbs each" ........ ??

[Ipcress]

Since when has MDCIIC been 1711 ? It's 1698 but this has been used on coins dated 1722. Maybe relates to something else, such as the date a monarch ascended to the throne ?

Claude Michel was born in 1738.

They belong in a church or catherdral

[ghopper1924]

My guess is that they're a later vintage

[mart]

I still think its the date the church was established !!

[Ipcress]

My guess is that they're a later vintage

Oh aye, they're not that old and the casting / moulding isn't sufficient quality to be Clodion.

We're back in ' after ' territory here.

[ghopper1924]

Yep. Same old same old.

In addition to the 5k price and 250 lb. (!!) Weight, there are several figures missing that need to be recast.
 Hmmm...

And isn't Clodion's name spelled incorrectly?

[KC]

Here's the ebay ended listing for them again.  They have been stored in a "now defunct" monestary?!  So are these legally acquired?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290847772734&item=290847772734&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466

AND the renowned sculptor that this is leaning towards is French Sculptor Claude Michel who is known as Clodion.  This name is similar...but not the same.

[ghopper1924]

I can find nothing about a sculptor named "Claudion." I wonder at this misspelling?

[Ipcress]

It's Clodion ( Claude Michel ) spelled incorrectly

[ghopper1924]

Even on the candelabra itself??

That's what's odd. It's as though someone wanted to invoke the name while protecting themselves from "plagiarism."