Pair of Flemish Yellow Brass Candlesticks Standing on Three Chiseled Lions Feet

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Pair of Flemish Yellow Brass Candlesticks Standing on Three Chiseled Lions Feet

About the Item

Pair of 15th century Flemish yellow brass candlesticks standing on three chiseled lions feet. The base and the dish drip pan on top are pierced in a decorative manner and toothed all around the raised rim, reminding us of a castle with its tower. Lions on the feet remind us of the lions of Flanders, emblem and coat of arms of the Low-Countries, having kept their lions feet is extremely rare. It is remarkable that the pricket is tall and has not been replaced. Tiny restoration along one stem. Very good condition. Similar examples at the Musée Royal de Mariemont in Belgium (see image above). Our model shown here represents the beginning of the fabrication of altar chandeliers known also as "pique cierges" around 1500 in the Mosan country, along the River Meuse, in Flanders. From simple shapes originally we now look at more elaborate pieces reminding us of wrought iron lecterns decorated with winged eagle on top and lions resting on their tripod base; Lions are the emblems of Flanders, reminding us of constant power in these numerous provinces; Our model here is a fine example of "dinanderie", with its capital Dinant in today Belgium (famous for its melted and chiseled yellow brass) and Bouvignes, the neighboring town (famous for brass metal workers, yellow brass metal sheets turned, cut, engraved and chiseled), with an elaborate design and elegant proportions, from the dish drip pan to the ringed stem, down to the tripod base with seated lions. Mosan art spreads to neighboring provinces, high in quality, to the upper Rhine Valley, the Low Countries of today, Holland, and even to parts of northern France with Lille as its capital city, up to Antwerpen in Maritime Flanders. Dinandiers workers, famous for their art of metalware, sell openly to well known fairs in Normandy and Champagne. Churches and cathedrals take pride in furnishing their sacred spaces with the most beautiful pieces of yellow Brass, known as laiton, along with polychromed altar pieces and monumental iron works. Religious ceremonies are eager to show the best altar ware to the faithful; Rich parishioners supply the Church along with their private chapels of fine examples of chandeliers, whose design here is a superb and rare example. The brass-ware / dinanderie : "an art in the making." In the Meuse valley, the knowledge of Dinandiers and their workshops of metal ware was early recognized by the Church which gave them a large support; New ornamentation in religious offices were deeply appreciated by the Church and the Faithful; This metalware, known as "dinanderie," knew a rapid and extraordinary art movement which included holy water basins, aquamaniles, chandeliers of all sizes, alm platters and chalices ; Dinant, a city along the Meuse, assured the production of high quality dinanderie and, because of its own success and high demand, spread to other cities such as Bouvignes nearby, but larger ones such as Huy, Bruxelles, Malines an important art center, Gand and even Maastricht in the Limbourg southern Province. The dinandiers were also great beneficiaries of the famous Hanseatic Leagues which sponsored at the time great commercial fairs in northern Europe, such as Lubeck and Hamburg; Due to this expansion, the art of the dinandiers was favored by merchants who patronize fairs and found a suitable use for their domestic household : lavabos as puisetes, wall brackets, fountains, and of course chandeliers ; The reflection, when chandeliers were lit, assured a brighter interior, the only source of light, as soon as the daylight fell. Many of these objects can be easily spotted in flemish paintings where rich interiors are depicted; Many of these Patrons were even representing themselves as sponsors and gave lavish gifts to the Church and patronized many artists. Origin of the yellow brass : Mines of the Harz mountains. Brass metal workers were very early drawn to the mineral riches of the mines in the Harz mountain range, in Lower Saxony, close to Thuringia in today Germany, with Hanover still its capital city; These mines were known as early as the Bronze Age; Teams of mine workers were loading raw and coarse minerals in boats which navigated through rivers and canals to finally reach Dinant on the tranquil river Meuse; Metal workers known as "batteurs" but later known as "dinandiers" were reregistered residents of Dinant; They refined the raw material to extract the yellow brass; it was then fused with a light addition of zinc or pewter, as a malleable produce, the laiton was born, as we know it today; The fame of Dinant was spread all over Europe and made Dinant the capital city of brassware.

Dimensions:
Height: 15.9 in (40.39 cm)Diameter: 8.5 in (21.59 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 2
Style:
Gothic (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass
Place of Origin:
Belgium
Period:
15th Century and Earlier
Date of Manufacture:
15th Century
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Tiny restoration along one stem. Very good condition.
Seller Location:
Paris, FR
Reference Number:
Seller: st 220741stDibs: LU107241337066