Pair Of Two-branch Candlesticks With Musicians, Vienna Circa 1870

Alois Ballauf, Vienna – Pair of Figural Candelabra with Musical Putti, Silver 800, Vienna circa 1870–1880 Alois Ballauf, Vienna · Silver 800 · Diana Head with A (Vienna, from 1872) · Historicist Rococo Style · Ringstraße Era

A matching pair of two-flame candelabra in silver 800, Vienna, circa 1870–1880. Each piece presents a musical putto in full round as the central shaft — one holding cymbals, the other tambourines — on a curved rocaille socle, from which rise two richly decorated scrolling arms with relief foliage, flowers and grape clusters. Candle sockets in ribbed vase form. Oval base with engraved floral decoration and monogram cartouche. Hallmarks: AB (Alois Ballauf, master mark) · Diana head with integrated A (Viennese control mark, silver 800, in use from 1 April 1872).

These candelabra illustrate Viennese silversmithing at its apogee under the Ringstraße era — the great urban transformation of Vienna under Franz Joseph I which, from the 1860s to the 1890s, generated extraordinary demand for prestige silverware in the historicist style. Rococo revival — putti, rocailles, garlands of flowers and fruit — is the dominant stylistic reference of this table silver produced for the high bourgeoisie and aristocracy of Vienna. The quality of the modelling and the refinement of the musical putti place these pieces in the category of display objects.

The precision of the Austrian hallmarking system allows exact dating: the Diana head with integrated A was introduced on 1 April 1872 to replace the previous series, providing a secure post quem date for this mark.

• Composition: pair · two two-flame candelabra
• Material: silver 800
• Hallmarks: AB (Alois Ballauf, master mark) · Diana head + integrated A (Vienna, from 1 April 1872)
• Decoration: musical putti · rocailles · flowers and grape clusters · engraved base
• Production: Alois Ballauf, Vienna, circa 1870–1880
• Literature: Neuwirth, Waltraud, Wiener Gold- und Silberschmiede und ihre Punzen, Vienna · Reisinger, Rupert, 7 Jahrhunderte österreichische Punzierung 1365–2011, Hollinek, 2012
• Condition: very good for age · fine patina

Seen in museums — available to you.

Available for viewing by appointment at our Düsseldorf gallery.

Keywords integrated: Alois Ballauf Vienna, pair candelabra musical putti silver 800, Diana head Wien 1872, Historicist Rococo Ringstraße era, Viennese 19th century silversmithing