Objects of the Day: A Pair of French “Echidna” Sconces

This unusual pair of ormolu (gilt bronze) sculptural wall sconces heralds from Late Nineteenth-Century France. At some point in their existence, they were electrified, but are no longer wired, and thus, hold candles.


The sculptures are of Classical Greek “Echidna” figures—a winged creature with a woman’s head and torso, and the body of a sea serpent. Echidna was a drakaina (a female dragon with humanoid features) and was considered, “the mother of all monsters.” According to Classical Greek mythology, she was capable of some pretty awful things, but she makes for a nice lamp.

Finely sculpted with exquisite detail, the sconces are adorned with amethyst crystal drops from the tips of the wings. They’re rather idealized interpretations of Echidna created during a time when French artists were focusing on the beauty of ancient mythology and not the gorier details.

It’s always interesting to see the ideas of other cultures and times as viewed through the eyes of a completely unrelated people and time period. If these sconces were recreated today, no doubt the figures would be further idealized—losing any traces of their mythological origins and smiling with cherubic faces. I like them better this way.