A RARE ENGLISH COPPER ALLOY OR LATTEN CANDLESTICK

A RARE ENGLISH COPPER ALLOY OR LATTEN CANDLESTICK

15TH CENTURY

the socket above a stem with a central knop on a circular, slightly dished base, with banded decoration

12cm high

Provenance

The F. W Robins Collection

Literature

F. W. Robins, The Story of the Lamp (and the candle), pl. vi (b), 5.

Catalogue Note

The term latten, which has medieval origins, is used to describe copper alloys from the late- and post-medieval period as they are neither true brass nor bronze.

For an analysis of discussion on the composition of the alloys used, see R Brownsword et al, 'Latten' Candlesticks in the Leicestershire Museums' Collection. This report also illustrated two candlesticks comparable to the example being offered here.

For other similar examples see:

Christie's, The Lear Collection of Socket Candlesticks, 15th December 1998, lots 35 36.

R. F. Michaelis, Old Domestic Base-Metal Candlesticks, p.41, figs. 25 and 26

E. Keldeweij, The English Candlestick, p39, cat 1-3.