A 19th century Italian silver-gilt chamber stick

A 19th century Italian silver-gilt chamber stick,

unmarked, probably by Castellani, Rome circa 1880-1890.

modelled as a seated devil with arms out to hold a candlestick, his tail forms the ring handle, the shaped base with flame decoration, the front with a grotesque mask, on three owl and winged devil mask feet, length 11cm, approx. weight 8.7oz.

For another example of a devil chamber stick, see Bonhams, New Bond Street, Important Design, 27 November 2019, lot 23. The design for this chamber stick is by Michaelangelo Caetani, who was Castellani's principal patron. A number of candlesticks designed as demons are noted in Castellani's stock registers up to 1899.