Fine pair of French Empire or Directoire candlesticks in original fire gilded ormolu and patinated bronze. The casting and finishing of the finest quality. Set on circular bases with concentic circles of beading, hatching and laurel leaves. Set on the top of the base are three pairs of feet that belong to the superbly modelled and cast female heads that are set above the patinated bronze stems that are decorated with stiff leaf and dart pattern in a horizontal plane. The candle holder is reeded using a leaf pattern and has a band of star decoration rising to the original drip pans decorated with the same stiff leaf and dart decoration as the stem but in ormolu. Original hand cut threads to iron rods. French circa 1805. 10.5 inches high by 5 inches diameter ( 26.25 cms by 12.5 cms).