On display
Image of Gallery in South Kensington

This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Pair of Candlesticks

ca. 1650 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
England (made)

Candlestick designs changed according to fashion, but also for practical purposes. This typical English candlestick of the 1650s has a wide base to make it stable. The ribs strengthened the stem and the centrally placed drip pan caught the wax. This kind of candlestick is often seen in contemporary still-life paintings.

Object details

Categories
Metalwork
Lighting
Object type
Pair of candlesticks
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Candlestick
  • Candlestick
Materials and techniques
Brass
Brass
Brief description
Candlesticks made of brass, England, ca.1650
Physical description
One of a pair of candlesticks of turned brass. The trumpet shaped foot is divided from the stem by a circular drip pan, both are slightly ribbed. Round the nozzle is a projecting rim.
Dimensions
  • Height: 15cm
  • At base width: 11.0cm
Gallery label
(March 2004)
BADA 2004 Exhibition label:
CANDLESTICK
Brass, Britain, 1640
From the 14th to the 17th century, brass candlesticks were the most common form of lighting in well-to-do households. In the 17th century they were made with wide spreading bases for stability and centrally-placed drip pans to catch the wax or fat. This trumpet shaped candlestick is cast in two sections. The body is hollow cast and the corrugations strengthen the shaft. The nozzle was often detachable to prevent the candle from falling into the shaft when the wax melted.
389-1906
Summary
Candlestick designs changed according to fashion, but also for practical purposes. This typical English candlestick of the 1650s has a wide base to make it stable. The ribs strengthened the stem and the centrally placed drip pan caught the wax. This kind of candlestick is often seen in contemporary still-life paintings.
Bibliographic reference
Baker, Malcolm, and Brenda Richardson (eds.), A Grand Design: The Art of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London: V&A Publications, 1999.
Collection
Metalwork Collection
Accession number
389-1906

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Record createdNovember 10, 2003
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O85451/pair-of-candlesticks-unknown/
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