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Veneto- Saracenic candlestick - 15th century
$10,123.03
£7,537.93
€8,500
CA$13,866.53
A$15,462.74
CHF 8,067.80
MX$189,733.71
NOK 102,690.26
SEK 97,296.79
DKK 64,707.42
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About the Item
Veneto- Saracenic candlestick
Engraved bronze
15th century
13 x 8,5 cm
This rare candlestick exemplify exquisite craftsmanship, featuring a bell-shaped base with a flared foot adorned with intricate engraved patterns. The decoration consists of interwoven geometric designs and floral motifs that showcase remarkable precision. Above the base sits a flat, circular platform with slightly downward-curving edges, designed to catch wax drippings. This platform continues the engraved decoration, ensuring a seamless visual flow across the structure.
The stem is richly embellished with intricate bands of decorative motifs, culminating in a hollow opening intended to hold a candle.
The candlestick bear a coat of arms of a rampant wolf in a typical European style: flat at the top and tapering toward the bottom.
Despite their European shape and the inclusion of coats of arms, the decorative elements of these candlesticks are distinctly Mamluk in style. Intended primarily for the Italian market, they are notably smaller than those crafted for a Mamluk clientele, which could be two to three times larger. The candlesticks reflect the technical innovations of Islamic metalworkers, particularly their advanced use of sand-casting for vessels and three-dimensional forms—a method that predated its widespread adoption in Europe by several centuries. These pieces were cast in multiple sections and meticulously assembled to achieve their final form.
The engraved arabesques, thread-like scrolls, acanthus leaves, and palmettes provide a striking contrast to the coats of arms, which is the only Western elements on this object. This combination of Eastern and European influences defines a category of artworks known as Veneto-Saracenic. This term refers to a group of metal vessels produced between the 14th and 16th centuries that blend Middle Eastern craftsmanship with European stylistic features. Initially believed to have been created in Muslim workshops in Venice, these objects are now understood to have been produced in the Near East—particularly Egypt and Syria—specifically for Western clients.
This candlestick serve as rare examples of how Venetian upper bourgeoisie and nobility embraced Orientalist influences during the late Renaissance. The fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the subsequent rise of the Ottoman Empire positioned Venice as the principal commercial ally of Istanbul, the new economic hub of the region. This close relationship undoubtedly influenced Venetian tastes, fostering an appreciation for Orientalist culture.
The group of works known as Veneto-Saracenic testifies to this fascination and cross-cultural exchange, offering a glimpse into the rich artistic dialogue between East and West at a pivotal moment in history.
Bibliography:
Auld, Sylvia. Renaissance Venice, Islam and Mahmud the Kurd: A Metalworking Enigma. London: Altajir World of Islam Trust, 2004.
Carboni, Stefano, ed. Venice and the Islamic World, 828–1797. Exhibition catalogue. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2007.
De Hond, Jan, and Mols, Luitgard. “A Mamluk Basin for a Sicilian Queen.” The Rijksmuseum Bulletin 59, no. 1 (2011): 20, fig. 15.
Dursteler, Eric R. Venetians in Constantinople: Nation, Identity, and Coexistence in the Early Modern Mediterranean.Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006.
Howard, Deborah. “Death in Damascus: Venetians in Syria in the Mid-Fifteenth Century.” Muqarnas 20 (2003): 143–157.
Mack, Rosamond E. Bazaar to Piazza: Islamic Trade and Italian Art, 1300–1600. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2002.
Ward, Rachel, and Susan La Niece. “‘Veneto-Saracenic’ Metalwork: An Analysis of the Bowls and Incense Burners in the British Museum.” In Trade and Discovery: The Scientific Study of Artefacts from Post-Medieval Europe and Beyond, edited by Duncan R. Hook and David R. M. Gaimster, Occasional Paper 109. London: British Museum Press, 1995
- Dimensions:Height: 4.34 in (11 cm)Diameter: 3.35 in (8.5 cm)
- Style:Renaissance (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Bronze,Engraved
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:15th century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Bruxelles, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6666243873172
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