Large Gilded Lead Temple Candlestick. China, Qing Period.

This candlestick, of exceptional dimensions, was part of the decoration of the altar of a temple or a palace. It is made of cast lead and partially gilded on red and green lacquer. Exagonal shape. The partly openwork decoration mainly represents flower vases, but also stylized dragons, bats, flowers and coins. Some friezes of the upper edges are unsoldered, but the candlestick is complete, only a vase motif is missing from one of the 24 panels. The top shaft, candle holder is twisted and cracked. The candlestick is composed of 3 parts, which are not all firmly assembled. On the heavy base is very stable rests, simply placed, the second part without tenon which makes it unstable. There must be a link missing? The 3rd part, the top shaft is firmly held by a tenon. Chinese work from the Qing period. 19th century or earlier. This is a very rare item. Height: 137cm Width: 41cm