Original French 18th Century Candlesticks Depicting Fop Caricatures of Voltaire & Frederick the Great in 1740
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Original Item: Only One Set Available. Here we have a lovely set of two 18th Century French Candlesticks, which look to be made of pewter or another similar metal, which was then painted to look bronze. Depicted are François-Marie Arouet, better known by his nom de plume (pen name) Voltaire, and Prussian King Frederick the Great.
These however are not exactly "flattering" images of the two. They are both depicted as "Fops", which is a pejorative term for a foolish man excessively concerned with his appearance and clothes in the 17th Century. Neither were exactly well regarded in 17th Century France, so this type of caricature was commonplace. Both are approximately 13 inches in height, with a lovely worn patina.
Frederick the Great had been aware of Voltaire's writings, and first began corresponding with him in 1736, when he was still the Crown Prince. They then famously first met in 1740, the same year that Frederick would ascend to the throne. They continued to correspond through the 1740s, and in 1750 Voltaire moved to Prussia to be a Chamberlain of Frederick.
This unfortunately did not go well, and by 1752 their relationship had completely soured, and Voltaire left his service under bad circumstances.
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