17th Cty Engraved & Openwork Chiseled Iron Workshop Candlestick

HAUTE EPOQUE

Superb and rare (I have simply never seen another one!) chiseled, engraved, openwork and articulated iron workshop candlestick from 17th century / Louis XIII period, which could have had its modest place in the prestigious collections of Mrs LE SECQ DES TOURNELLES or RULLIER.

The candlestick must have been embedded or planted in wooden workshop of a craftsman of taste, watchmaker, jeweler or other craftsman... Its author apparently loved the quality of perfect work, adjusted to its smallest details, both in terms of its design and its perfect execution.
It wasn't probably an item/tool intended to be sold, but just for pleasure of its author and/or its owner to use it daily

The body of the wall light features the silhouette of a bird of prey in profile.
We will also note the fleur-de-lis crowningthe wall light,
and the 3 axes in the shape of knuckles constituting the complex articulation allowing the wall light to be folded on itself.
The leaf spring allows the wall light to be blocked so that it doesn't slide by itself along the axis.

Dimensions
* 33 cm height
* 24 cm width unfolded (9,5 cm folded) and
* diameter 1 cm (4,5 cm at the socket)

Very nice patina.
The candlestick is superbly made and in perfect condition. The upper part is perhaps missing, or a possible iron candle to be fitted into the hollow tube of the wall light, and a cup used to collect the melted wax from the candle... A use such as is also possible!