Candlestick thumbnail 1
Not on display

Candlestick

1280-1320 (made)

Folding candlestick, gilded copper decorated with champlevé enamel.

Object details

Object type
Candlestick
Materials and techniques
Copper, with enamel and mercury gilding.
Brief description
Folding candlestick, gilded copper decorated with champlevé enamel. French (Limoges), 1280-1320.
Physical description
Folding candlestick, gilded copper decorated with champlevé enamel.
Dimensions
  • Height: 19.5cm (Base of foot to top of pricket)
  • Across base of two legs width: 11cm (approximate)
  • Across base of two legs depth: 11cm (approximate)
Credit line
Dr W.L. Hildburgh Bequest
Object history
The candlestick was owned by the collector and Museum benefactor Dr W. L. Hildburgh. In 1981, V&A science conservation analysed metal from this candlestick and from a similar one (not owned by the Museum) excavated at the site of Grove Priory, Bedfordshire, in an attempt to determine whether the candlesticks had been made in the same workshop. Both candlesticks were found to be mercury-gilded copper, but the report concluded that although they shared the same materials, it was not possible to positively link them together in terms of their production or origin.
Bibliographic references
  • Boehm, Barbara Drake. Catalogue entry, 'Pair of Traveling Candlesticks'. in Enamels of Limoges 1100-1350, ed. by J. P. O'Neill. Catalogue issued in conjuction with the exhibition Enamels of Limoges, 1100-1350, held at the Musée du Louvre, Paris, October 23, 1995-January 22, 1996, and at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, March 5-June 16, 1996. New York: Metropolitan Museum / Harry N. Abrahams, 1996. ISBN 0870997599.
  • Rupin, E. L'Oeuvre de Limoges. Paris, 1890.
  • Baker, Evelyn. 'The Medieval Travelling Candlesticks from Grove Priory, Bedfordshire: SP923227'. In: Antiquaries Journal, vol. 61, no. 2, 1981. pp. 336-38.
  • Dumargne, A-C. Les chandeliers et pique-cierges portatifs à décors émaillés de Limoges des XIIIe-XIVe siècles. Cahiers LandArc, no. 18 (2016).
  • 'A medieval enamelled travelling-candlestick'. In: Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries, vol. 32 (1919-1920), 18 March 1920, pp. 132-5.
Collection
Metalwork Collection
Accession number
M.355-1956

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O379122/candlestick/
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