17th–18th-century Wrought-iron Handheld Candleholder – Candlestick, Cellar Rat, Torch

A superb and exceptional wrought-iron handheld candlestick, dating to the 17th–18th centuries, remarkable for the virtuosity of its craftsmanship and the quality of its forging.

The base features a spectacular, deeply veined leaf with jagged, undulating contours, reminiscent of a chestnut leaf. It extends into a sturdy forged handle, whose curves blend harmoniously into the composition.

The bowl, shaped like a widely blooming corolla, resembles a fleur-de-lis bud. Its particularly dynamic design attests to great mastery of hot-work iron smithing.

This piece draws on the aesthetic and technical traditions of Gothic and Renaissance ironwork. The treatment of the foliage, the vigor of the forms, and the distinctly artisanal appearance of the forging lend it a particularly alluring “High Middle Ages” character.

The bowl appears to be forged as a natural extension of the handle, with no visible seams, demonstrating remarkable craftsmanship.

A utilitarian object transformed into a true wrought-iron sculpture, straddling the line between folk art and artistic metalwork.

This piece comes from my personal collection. At the time of acquisition, the binet still contained a fragment of a tallow candle, an interesting testament to its former use.

It has a very beautiful patina of age, retaining the irregularities and characteristic marks of the blacksmith’s work.

Period: 17th–18th century, stylistic attribution.

Material: Wrought iron.

Dimensions:

• Length: 21 cm

• Width: 8.5 cm

• Height: 9 cm

Condition: Very good condition, with an antique patina and signs of wear consistent with the object’s age.

L'ALCHIMISTE ATELIER – Vendée

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