Pair Of Small Silver Candlesticks — Spain, 18th Century

A lovely pair of small solid silver candlesticks, likely of Spanish origin, probably dating from the 18th century.

Small in size and elegantly understated, these two candlesticks feature a slightly domed circular base, accented by a delicate border of beads, upon which rests a tapered shaft, marked by deep vertical flutes.

The base of the shaft is shaped like a fluted corolla, while the upper section features a wide circular cup with a molded rim. The particularly elegant bowls take the form of a flared corolla, entirely adorned with concentric fluting and moldings.

The piece as a whole is characterized by a highly elegant decorative style, based on the interplay of fluting, beading, gadroons, and moldings, features characteristic of 18th-century European silverwork and particularly well represented in Iberian pieces from this period.

The purity of the silhouette and the skillful repetition of the motifs give this small pair a structured and highly refined presence, despite its small size. This type of candlestick was intended for table or console lighting and was naturally made in pairs.

The pieces bear a silversmith’s hallmark that is now very faint and illegible, which unfortunately has not allowed for the workshop or city of production to be identified with certainty. The style and decorative elements nevertheless suggest a Spanish origin, pending further study of the hallmarks.

The set has retained a very beautiful appearance. One of the two candlesticks shows an old solder joint, particularly at the candlestick base, indicating a repair carried out at some point in its history.

Period: 18th century, circa 1750–1780
Proposed origin: Spain, to be confirmed by examination of the hallmarks
Material: solid silver
Height: approximately 12 cm
Condition: good overall condition; old solder joint on one of the candlesticks and repair to the candle holder; silversmith’s hallmark illegible.

A charming pair of antique Spanish silverware, particularly appealing due to its small size, the quality of its fluting, and the highly graphic elegance of its decoration.