Pair Of Candlesticks - Silver/agate - Europe - Late 18th Century

A pair of silver, vermeil, and moss agate candlesticks. A rare and elegant pair of silver candlesticks mounted on moss agate, embellished with vermeil sections, dating from the late 18th or very early 19th century. These candlesticks rest on an openwork four-legged base, finely chased with scrolls, volutes, and exquisitely refined plant motifs. The baluster stem is composed of a central element of moss agate, a hardstone prized for its natural green inclusions, giving each piece a unique character. The silver mount, partially enhanced with vermeil, is richly worked and punctuated with set blue cabochons, emphasizing the decorative and luxurious nature of the whole. The removable drip pans, also in silver, bear the swan hallmark. Note: a few decorative beads are missing, without detracting from the overall harmony or the decorative quality of the pair. Exquisite silversmithing in a historicist style. These candlesticks, both decorative and sculptural, find their natural place on a mantelpiece or console table. European work, late 18th – early 19th century