Alexander's Antiques Candlesticks

A Magnificent, Exceptionally Rare, Museum Quality Pair of 18th Century English Ormolu Mounted, Hand-Carved and Hand-Polished Carrara Marble Cassolettes, By Matthew Boulton. These beautiful ormolu-mounted white marble cassolettes are by Matthew Boulton (1728-1809) and John Fothergill (1730- circa 1782) published in their Pattern Book No. 1 (page 171, figure t) and reproduced in Sir Nicholas Goodison's Ormolu: The Work of Matthew Boulton (New York, 1974, page 383, figure 161). Josiah Wedgwood (1730-1795) was a close friend of Boulton's and his patterns are thought to be the source for the medallions used on the plinths of these. Boulton's medallions of classical figures are almost identical to the cameos and intaglios made by Wedgwood and his partner James Tassie. Molds for these examples can be found in the Wedgwood Collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum. All derive from the same classical source of Renaissance gems. Many gem collections in Europe were widely published at this time and Boulton's library contained A. F. Gori's Museum Florentinum (1731-1766), in which gems from the Medici collection were engraved. The subjects of the medallions on this pair are: Pomona, a Roman goddess of fruit trees, gardens, and orchards, and depicted carrying a basket on her head overloaded with fruit, tumbling to the ground, shown once on each vase. Hygeia, once on each, with an olive branch in her right hand, as seen in Tassie's reproduction of Valerio Belli's gem, and holding a snake in her left hand over an altar. This was produced by Wedgwood both as an intaglio and as a cameo. Venus & Cupid, only on one vase, showing Venus leaning against a column with a pike, and giving a helmet to Cupid. Aesclepius, Greek GD of medicine, only on one vase, depicted with a snake wrapped around his staff .The last medallion subject is either Diomedes or Perseus, shown once on each vase, depicted as a conquering hero. Boulton asked patrons to choose from a limited repertoire of motifs, and therefore each vase or pair of vases is adorned with their own combination. Boulton used nine medallion subjects on recorded vases of this type. PROVENANCE & COMPS Another pair of this model, with slightly less elaborate lids and finials, from a private collection are illustrated in Goodison's Matthew Boulton: ORMOLU, (page 379, figure 153). A further example is in a private New York collection. This pair, which was acquired from Hotspur in 1981, was formerly in the Collection of Marjorie Wiggin Prescott, sold Christie’s, New York, 31 January 1981, lot 76. The Prescott Collection was one of the most important English furniture collections of its time. The sale consisted mostly of late 17th and 18th century English furniture...

Pair of 19th century Patinated and Gilt Bronze Standing Crane-Form Candlesticks. This pair of 19th century candlesticks are a stunning example of gilt bronze design, featuring two deeply patinated regal cranes standing erect, both with an oversized gilt-covered bronze flower surrounded by foliate and amusingly held in the beak. The candlesticks are both highly detailed, well-balanced and designed to hold a candle. Beautifully crafted, with the cranes standing elegantly on top of gilt bronze rocks...

A very fine pair of Antique French " Baccarat" double overlay, White to Green cut Crystal Lusters / Girondles, attributed to Baccarat . This pair of wh...

An exquisite pair of French 19th century Louis XVI style blue opalescent crystal tulip form lustre/girandole/candle sticks with hand-painted enamel designs and gilt decoration. Each ...

An Impressive Pair of French Louis XVI style mid-century hand-carved and hand-polished rock crystal candlesticks on patinated bronze mounts. Each candlestick is beautiful with multip...

A spectacular pair of French Louis XVI ormolu candlesticks with Putti Masks and Garlands. The socket is very intricately sculpted with beading, acanthus leaves, and fluted bottom. Be...

A Fabulous pair of French Louis XVI style dore bronze mounted hand carved rock crystal swirling spiked candlesticks, attributed to Baguès. Each candlestick is exceptionally hand carv...

A fine and very large pair of jeweled French Art Deco rock crystal candlesticks, with mercury gilded bronze mounts. The multi shaped elements are adorned by 3 carat hand faceted ruby...

A pair of neoclassical monumental finely cast and chased dore bronze early 18th century south American/Mexican single light candleholders. These are a monumental pair of candle holde...

An exceptional and quite rare pair of antique 19th century canton enameled single light candle/ pricket sticks, on a pair of fine original carved hardwood stands. Canton China, 19th ...