Theophil von Hansen

(Copenhagen 1813-1891 Vienna)

Eight-armed chandelier
Bronze, fire-gilt, glass shades
Vienna ca. 1876
Execution: the firm of D. Hollenbachs Erben Vienna
Height: 135 cm, diameter: 75 cm

This chandelier was clearly made from a design drawing by Theophil von Hansen that is now in the architect’s estate in the Akademie der Bildenden Künste (Kupferstichkabinett, Inv. 20.267). The drawing is dated 1876.
The centre of the chandelier forms a standing, naked Bacchus with a wine jug and accompanied by a dog, surrounded by eight male and female centaurs carrying putti on their backs. The eight arms of the chandelier end in female busts that support the drip plates and the glass shades. The bottom end is formed by a large, round base ending in a magnificent pine cone.
The chandelier was made by the firm of “D. Hollenbach’s Erben”. There is ample evidence that Hollenbach made bronze castings (chandeliers, table centrepieces) in the 1870s according to designs by Theophil von Hansen.
This particular chandelier was originally owned by Louise Karlik, née Lobmeyr (1832-1905), who married Wilhelm Karlik (1806-1877), a glassworks owner, in 1851.

Provenance

from the estate of Louise Kralik, née Lobmeyr (1832-1905), daughter of the Viennese glass manufacturer and trader, Josef Lobmeyr, married to Wilhelm Kralik in 1851.