18th Century French Brass Altar Pricket Candlesticks, Set of 2

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A superb and rare pair of French liturgical altar pricket candlesticks (pique-cierges) dating from the mid-18th century. Standing at an … Read more A superb and rare pair of French liturgical altar pricket candlesticks (pique-cierges) dating from the mid-18th century. Standing at an impressive and highly desirable height of 40 cm, these candlesticks represent classic Haute Epoque metal craftsmanship. Each piece features a beautifully turned baluster stem formed by a sequence of superimposed rings, swelling knops, and sharp architectural mouldings. The shafts terminate in wide, shallow dished wax drip pans measuring 11 cm in diameter, which house their robust, original hand-forged iron pricket spikes designed to secure thick beeswax church candles.
The triangular, tiered pyramidal bases are beautifully stepped and rest firmly upon three detailed cloven hoof feet - a definitive stylistic signature of the French Louis XIV and Regence liturgical eras.
The underside of the hollow tripod bases provide undeniable physical evidence of their 18th-century origin. The modular turned elements of the stem are stacked and held under tension by an authentic internal iron rod running through the entire core. The interior core surfaces display a heavily textured, uneven surface left by historical sand-casting moulds, coupled with a genuine, centuries-old accumulation of verdigris oxidation in the hard-to-reach recesses. Free from modern reproduction markings or machine milling, this pair exhibits an untouchable historical profile. I have official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs,
designer records,
or other literature sources and take full responsibility for any authenticity issues arising
from
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