Torchère figure (one of a pair)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite *Torchère figure*, one of a pair crafted by the renowned French sculptor Augustin Paj in the 19th century, stands a captivating example of opulent European decorative arts. Depicting a graceful nymph—evoking the mythical water spirits of classical lore—the sculpture rises to an impressive 67 inches (170.2 cm.) high. Fashioned from plaster atop carved and gilded wood, it exemplifies the luxurious techniques of the era, where gilding added a shimmering, regal glow to enhance both functionality as a candelabrum stand and aesthetic splendor in grand interiors. Pajou, a master of neoclassical sculpture, infused his works with elegant anatomical precision and mythological themes, bridging 18th- and 19th-century tastes. These torchères reflect the French tradition of integrating sculpture into everyday luxury, adorning salons and palaces during a time when opulence symbolized cultural refinement. Their presence in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts underscores their artistic merit, generously gifted by J. Pierpont Morgan in 1906. Imagine these luminous figures flanking a marble mantel, their gilded surfaces dancing in candlelight—a testament to the harmonious blend of utility and beauty in French design.

About the Artist

Augustin Pajou · 1730–1809

Augustin Pajou (1730–1809) was one of the foremost French sculptors of the second half of the eighteenth century, whose long and distinguished career bridged the Rococo grace of the Ancien Régime and the more sober classicizing spirit that emerged in the revolutionary and Napoleonic periods. Born in Paris into a family with artistic connections — his father was an ornamental sculptor — Pajou showe...