A WONDERFUL AND EXTREMELY RARE BRONZE CANDLESTICK

A WONDERFUL AND EXTREMELY RARE BRONZE CANDLESTICK

ENGLISH, C.1400-1500

having a cylindrical socket with linear decoration, the solid cylindrical stem centred by a discoid knop, on a shallow capstan-form base, old losses to base

15.3cm high

Catalogue Note

This candlestick forms part of a small group recognised as the earliest stable form of copper-alloy candlestick manufactured in England in the late 14th and 15th century. At first glance it is comparable to the so-called 'Bunsen Burner' candlesticks of similar date, namely in the design of the stem and socket. However, the base design is completely different and far rarer; it is concave and not simply straight-sided. The candlestick's fine patination implies an archaeological recovery and the crisp detail retained implies it was 'lost' when fairly new.

For a comparable example see the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, acc.no. M.571-1911.

Literature

W. G. Mackay Thomas 'English Candlesticks Before 1600', pp. 21, 22, pls. 8, 9.

Exhibited

Antique Metalware Society, 'Finds', September 2006, Taunton.