Candlestick
early 16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
From the 14th until the 17th centuries, brass candlesticks appeared in all but the most prosperous European houses, and were made in forms peculiar to the material.
Socketed candlesticks made their appearance in the late 13th century and thereafter became relatively common, replacing the earlier pricket form, at least for domestic use. The earliest sockets were polygonal in cross-section. By the 15th century they were round. At first, two vertical apertures were cut into the socket to facilitate the extraction of the burnt-out stub. These gradually became smaller and by the 15th century they tended to be horizontally cut.
The form of the stem and base of candlesticks at this time is the result of a complicated interplay between two typological currents. The first type naturally evolved from the simple European pricket candlestick, where the shaft is supported on three legs. The second type originated in the Near East and had a high cylindrical or slightly conical base surmounted by a flat circular wax pan and a short circular stem. These candlesticks were introduced into Europe by the Muslim community in Venice from the 14th century.
Socketed candlesticks made their appearance in the late 13th century and thereafter became relatively common, replacing the earlier pricket form, at least for domestic use. The earliest sockets were polygonal in cross-section. By the 15th century they were round. At first, two vertical apertures were cut into the socket to facilitate the extraction of the burnt-out stub. These gradually became smaller and by the 15th century they tended to be horizontally cut.
The form of the stem and base of candlesticks at this time is the result of a complicated interplay between two typological currents. The first type naturally evolved from the simple European pricket candlestick, where the shaft is supported on three legs. The second type originated in the Near East and had a high cylindrical or slightly conical base surmounted by a flat circular wax pan and a short circular stem. These candlesticks were introduced into Europe by the Muslim community in Venice from the 14th century.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Bronze candlestick with circular base which is drawn up into a cone in the centre, and with a rectangular piercing in the nozzle, English, early 16th century |
| Physical description | Flat circular base, with low flange along the rim and encircled on top by a single engraved line. In the centre it is drawn up into a rounded cone, ribbed horizontally, and supporting the stem. The stem is of baluster shape decorated with mouldings. The slightly flared tubular nozzle has mouldings at the top and bottom and has a rectangular lateral piercing. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Warren St District London 1931. 4/6 was converted for electricity. (Painted in black under the base; painted) |
| Credit line | Mrs Cynthia St. John-Willis |
| Object history | Found in London. Written on base of candlestick: 'Warren St District London 1931. 4/6 [?] was converted for electric light' |
| Summary | From the 14th until the 17th centuries, brass candlesticks appeared in all but the most prosperous European houses, and were made in forms peculiar to the material. Socketed candlesticks made their appearance in the late 13th century and thereafter became relatively common, replacing the earlier pricket form, at least for domestic use. The earliest sockets were polygonal in cross-section. By the 15th century they were round. At first, two vertical apertures were cut into the socket to facilitate the extraction of the burnt-out stub. These gradually became smaller and by the 15th century they tended to be horizontally cut. The form of the stem and base of candlesticks at this time is the result of a complicated interplay between two typological currents. The first type naturally evolved from the simple European pricket candlestick, where the shaft is supported on three legs. The second type originated in the Near East and had a high cylindrical or slightly conical base surmounted by a flat circular wax pan and a short circular stem. These candlesticks were introduced into Europe by the Muslim community in Venice from the 14th century. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.56-1967 |
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| Record created | February 10, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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