Exceptional Pair Of Silver Ceroferous Angels Or Candle-bearing Angels – Brussels, 1681–1682

Exceptional Pair of Silver Candle-Bearing Angels – Brussels, 1681–1682.

A rare and spectacular pair of solid silver candle-bearing angels, Brussels work from the late 17th century, Baroque period.

Description:

Each angel is depicted kneeling on a cloud, in a dynamic and solemn pose. In one hand, they hold a torch, and in the other, a ring to hold the candle, a liturgical typology characteristic of candle-bearing angels used in solemn ceremonies.

The modeling is of remarkable quality: expressive faces with delicately chiseled features, powerful musculature and masterful anatomy, finely worked hair and wings, deep drapery with flowing folds, typical of the Baroque style.
The whole is mounted on blackened wood (ebenized) bases, richly adorned with repoussé silver plaques decorated with rocaille cartouches and garlands of fruit, of great elegance.

Hallmarks: Silver fully hallmarked: Brussels city hallmark: crowned lion passant and head of Saint Michael
Date letter L corresponding to the year 1681–1682
Dutch mark O (Oud) attesting to the object's presence in the Netherlands before 1807
used between July 1st and December 3rd, 1807.

These hallmarks conform to official registers (see bibliography).

Baroque period, 17th century.
Literature: Walter Van Dievoet, Orfèvres de l'ancien régime au poinçon de Bruxelles/ Edelsmeden van het ancien régime met merken van Brussel, Peters Publishers, 2019, pag. 61 (for Brussels silver marks)

Dimensions: Height: 46 cm x Width: 11 cm x Length: 23 cm.

Condition:

Very good condition for pieces of this period. Wear and slight signs of age consistent with its age. Sound structure, well-preserved silver, stable bases.

This is a museum-quality piece, both for the quality of the chasing and the rarity of a solid silver object of this size. Angel bees of this size, complete and in pairs, are extremely rare on the market.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information or additional photos of the items offered for sale.