Golden oak leaves adorn these cache clous, symbolic of the strength of Northern France.
 
They are in well preserved gilded metal, from a Chateau clearance just outside Paris, these 'cache clous' would have hung on the nail supporting a pair of pictures to embellish and disguise it. 
 
It is unusual both to find a matching pair and cache clous so large. The metal is hollow making them lighter and less likely to cause damage to fragiles below, should they slip.
 
There are some small patches of verdigris and some rubbing of the gilding, making them all the more attractive as they show their true age, dating from the Empire era in the 19th century. 
 
They measure 6” by 4.5”