拍品专文
Beneath the Demidoff coat-of-arms, this magnificent pair of candelabra bears the Russian motto 'Delami ne slovami' - 'By deeds not words'. Nicholas N. Demidoff, who inherited the family empire when only fifteen, returned to Russia following an intensive work-study programme in Germany and England and assumed control of the family mining empire from Stroganoff family members and further increased its wealth. In 1819 he was appointed Russian Ambassador to the Court of Tuscany and in 1822 brought his two boys, Paul and Anatole, to Florence where he commissioned to have the Villa di San Donato built. With their immense wealth the Demidoffs commissioned luxury goods from Hermès as well as table decoration in malachite and gilt bronze from Thomire and silverwork by Odiot to decorate their lavish homes in Paris and St. Petersburg as well as of course the magnificent Villa di San Donato.
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