Rare Renaissance Candlestick (16th C.)

Twisted Form Candlestick Holder 
France, 16th century 
Copper alloy 
H. 27.8 cm (10.9 inches) 
Used condition, with previous restorations.

This large candlestick holder possesses a pure and balanced form. The metal twists of the stem catch the light and produce a delightful shimmering effect on the object. Additionally, the twisted form likely evoked or was used with candles of the same shape (see illustration: British Museum inv.1965,0403.1).

This rare candlestick holder can be compared to a specimen formerly held at the Cluny Museum, Paris (inv. CL12493), now housed at the National Museum of the Renaissance, Château d’Écouen. The dimensions, alloy color, base shape, and presence of hexagonal rods are similar. However, the twisted motif at Écouen is replaced by a lozenge faceted pillar stem motif. These similarities strongly suggest that the objects originated from the same workshop.