French Art Nouveau Ormolu Thistle Seven Light Chandelier

Circa 1900, attributed to Colin & Cie, unmarked, cast as a central tapering hexagonal lantern, single interior sconce within frosted glass panels, the corners decorated with six downswept thistle form arms issuing lateral buds, naturalistically cast and suspended from an ornamental whiplash tendril, all beneath a three swallow-tail bird and cloud ceiling mount.

Chandelier 28 1/2 x 28 1/2 x 28 1/2 in. (excluding chain); ceiling mount 4 x 15 1/2 x 15 1/2 in.

Private Collection, Pinehurst, North Carolina

Areas of rubbing and surface wear to the ormolu decoration; glass panels with some small edge chips; later wiring and chain; not tested but operational at the owner's home before removal.