17th Century French Bronze Acorn Knopped Pricket Candlesticks Circa 1650
Item History & Price
Pair of 17thcentury French bronze acorn knopped light baluster pricket candlesticks, circa 1650Text, formatting & images © 2019 – R. JosefBurdett-Williamson – all rights reserved.Breveté, 2019, par M. R. Josef Burdett-Williamson. ATTENTION – défense de reproduction ! We are veryserious, as to Intellectual Property rights – any violations are reported toeBay,
and our Intellectual Properties attorneys in Leeds & Paris. Please readall my terms of sale carefully...!Elly BurdettThis pair is in France.Pieces in the group photo are strictly for scale.You are only bidding on the featuredpair.Free collection by appt. is possible:my collections & some of Elly’s many new arrivals can be viewed. Please note:For those not familiar with my eBay store, you aredealing with 2 different people in England & France. I’m a part-timeantiques dealer, & sometimes exhibit at UK antiques shows.
My associate in France is an expat American historian of European DecorativeArts & museum curator, with 45 years of advanced experience. Sincerely, ET Burdett The antiques trade is rife withperpetuated errors, and moving to France 26 years ago meant that I had tounlearn more than a few. One of the most annoying and widespread is that all pricket candlesticks (and larger mid-drips) areecclesiastical. This has been thoroughly disproven, from early inventories, woodcuts and paintings, and in-situresearch – I own several non-ecclesiastical French wrought iron pricket beamcandlesticks. The “ecclesiastical assumption” also totally ignores the fact of the enormous size of theRenaissance and later Continental architecture of the wealthy merchant classand aristocracy across Europe – the larger early secular pricket or mid-dripcandlesticks (of which we have owned dozens - andhave more on hand) were often for use in truly enormous rooms, and on furniture thatwas proportionally massive.My reference library on earlyContinental metalwork & lighting is about as good as it gets – there areperhaps half a dozen books I’m still searching for, but by and large it’s verycomprehensive. Even so, I don’t know of a single volume in any language thathas even begun to correctly tackle the very complex history of either mid-dripsocket candlesticks, or secular pricket candlesticks. Elly has sold far inexcess of 100; I’ve handled manymore, and currently have 25 or so lurking about my house. This pair was acquiredfrom a dealer in eastern France – based on the appearance of the form acrossWestern Europe, it’s clear that the design was very popular in the period, andin several countries. However, this pair is somewhat different – solely based onthe light baluster acorn-knopped shaft, I would have assigned an earlier dateto the pair – but the drip pans and feet are more typically later. The onlydefinitive way to get to the bottom of origins is by sampling a very large number of early Continentalpieces using XRF technology (which is something I’ve been doing for nearly 8years).This is one of the better pairs ofFrench pricket candlesticks I’ve been able to buy for Elly for resale; theproportions are excellent, and the condition is virtually pristine. As is oftenthe case, the only English language point of reference that is useful is Old Domestic base-Metal Candlesticks (pub. 1978) by Ronald Michaelis – which is still thebest technical reference on base-metal lighting or brass. Michaelis’work is generically superior; in the 1970’s, he was the only author to get it right, as to the attribution of Nurembergcandlesticks – and, correctly question the time constraints placed onHeemskerks by others. However, his dating of Franco-Flemish candlesticks is notalways accurate, and others bear erroneous attributions – the 3 candlesticks inFigure 170, page 116, are in fact all French, late 16th century, andnot 1st quarter, 18th century.The Appendix on page 137 of Michaeliscontains a somewhat useful, but hopelessly out-dated and rudimentarymetallurgical chart on base-metal candlesticks.More recent published references using XRF analysis are equally unreliable, dueto errors in attributions of candlesticks, or woefully inadequate numbers ofpieces sampled. As with any other truly accurate and scientific survey, a verywide range and large number of examples is an absolute necessity.Michaelis does devote a brief chapter tothe pricket form, but did not have as much experience as I have, withspecifically Continental (and especially French) origins of pricket or mid-dripcandlesticks; he does not always provide accurate commentaries. For a relevant piece, also with a light baluster shaft, see Figure 19 on Page 35. This pair is virtuallyflawless, and with no replacements or restorations whatsoever – the only thingto possibly grumble about is that one drip pan is loose – the shaft has been woundwith thread, in order to tighten the play. It didn’t work well – I recommendremoving the thread, and using a fast-drying wood glue – it is effective, andmuch less intrusive than solder. When acquired, the foot rims were seriouslyout-of-round – I’ve corrected this – early bronze is surprisingly flexible (cold– never heat it up!).We are independently listed with the NewEngland Appraisers Association, for France or England.Under France, you will find me listed twice – the first time isas the founder of record of the New EnglandAppraisers Association.Condition: basciallyoutstanding, and with no repairs or replacements whatsoever: as-seen, and asdescribed above. The pair otherwise has slightly less than the usual normal wear thatcan be expected on early metalwork. Photos are high resolution – usemagnification for viewing details. Please ask, if you wishadditional photos.© R. JosefBurdett-Williamson Certified expert & appraiser, New England Appraisers Association.FoundingTrustee, NewBedford Museum of Glass.Height – 10” (25.4 cm.): drip pan diameter: 3& 1/16" (7.7cm.): foot width –4"(10.2 cm.). Total weight– 980 grams, not including packaging.Insured mailing within France is 11 Euros; to the UK & EU is 18Euros – to North America is38 Euros.We don't charge for packing & handling, & always offer grouped rate posting, with no time limits.We ship from both France & the UK– please read listings carefully – rates& conditions are substantially different.This is not a"decorator" shop - eBay’s Consumer Goods-generated “Hassle-freereturns” policy does not apply to arbitrary whim, or unqualifiedopinion! Returns areaccepted - if: there is amajor problem with the age, condition or origin of a piece as described;and this is confirmed by aqualified expert with professionalcredentials. Photographs of any alleged damage arerequired - they are mandatory for insurance claims.What you pay for shippingis our actual cost –international shipping is stupidlyexpensive - we have absolutely no control over rates – I lose 4% toPayPal, and often absorbextra costs, such as double-boxing.International buyers – please inquire, as to mailing costs!Payments:PayPal, French or UK checks, or bank drafts, & all banktransfers accepted. I am obligedto accept PayPal, but prefer bank transfers, or UK or French checks - PayPaltakes a 4% bite out of all transactions - including shipping costs.Dear buyers – apologies for the intrusive copyrightlines, but they are there because R. Josef is an extensively published expertwith ongoing academic & commercial commissions, including forthcomingbooks. Listings often contain original research & information that has notappeared before; several British & Continental eBay sellers have beenreported for plagiarizing formatting & texts. Wefiercely protect our Intellectual Property rights – and in court, whennecessary.
00043
and our Intellectual Properties attorneys in Leeds & Paris. Please readall my terms of sale carefully...!Elly BurdettThis pair is in France.Pieces in the group photo are strictly for scale.You are only bidding on the featuredpair.Free collection by appt. is possible:my collections & some of Elly’s many new arrivals can be viewed. Please note:For those not familiar with my eBay store, you aredealing with 2 different people in England & France. I’m a part-timeantiques dealer, & sometimes exhibit at UK antiques shows.
My associate in France is an expat American historian of European DecorativeArts & museum curator, with 45 years of advanced experience. Sincerely, ET Burdett The antiques trade is rife withperpetuated errors, and moving to France 26 years ago meant that I had tounlearn more than a few. One of the most annoying and widespread is that all pricket candlesticks (and larger mid-drips) areecclesiastical. This has been thoroughly disproven, from early inventories, woodcuts and paintings, and in-situresearch – I own several non-ecclesiastical French wrought iron pricket beamcandlesticks. The “ecclesiastical assumption” also totally ignores the fact of the enormous size of theRenaissance and later Continental architecture of the wealthy merchant classand aristocracy across Europe – the larger early secular pricket or mid-dripcandlesticks (of which we have owned dozens - andhave more on hand) were often for use in truly enormous rooms, and on furniture thatwas proportionally massive.My reference library on earlyContinental metalwork & lighting is about as good as it gets – there areperhaps half a dozen books I’m still searching for, but by and large it’s verycomprehensive. Even so, I don’t know of a single volume in any language thathas even begun to correctly tackle the very complex history of either mid-dripsocket candlesticks, or secular pricket candlesticks. Elly has sold far inexcess of 100; I’ve handled manymore, and currently have 25 or so lurking about my house. This pair was acquiredfrom a dealer in eastern France – based on the appearance of the form acrossWestern Europe, it’s clear that the design was very popular in the period, andin several countries. However, this pair is somewhat different – solely based onthe light baluster acorn-knopped shaft, I would have assigned an earlier dateto the pair – but the drip pans and feet are more typically later. The onlydefinitive way to get to the bottom of origins is by sampling a very large number of early Continentalpieces using XRF technology (which is something I’ve been doing for nearly 8years).This is one of the better pairs ofFrench pricket candlesticks I’ve been able to buy for Elly for resale; theproportions are excellent, and the condition is virtually pristine. As is oftenthe case, the only English language point of reference that is useful is Old Domestic base-Metal Candlesticks (pub. 1978) by Ronald Michaelis – which is still thebest technical reference on base-metal lighting or brass. Michaelis’work is generically superior; in the 1970’s, he was the only author to get it right, as to the attribution of Nurembergcandlesticks – and, correctly question the time constraints placed onHeemskerks by others. However, his dating of Franco-Flemish candlesticks is notalways accurate, and others bear erroneous attributions – the 3 candlesticks inFigure 170, page 116, are in fact all French, late 16th century, andnot 1st quarter, 18th century.The Appendix on page 137 of Michaeliscontains a somewhat useful, but hopelessly out-dated and rudimentarymetallurgical chart on base-metal candlesticks.More recent published references using XRF analysis are equally unreliable, dueto errors in attributions of candlesticks, or woefully inadequate numbers ofpieces sampled. As with any other truly accurate and scientific survey, a verywide range and large number of examples is an absolute necessity.Michaelis does devote a brief chapter tothe pricket form, but did not have as much experience as I have, withspecifically Continental (and especially French) origins of pricket or mid-dripcandlesticks; he does not always provide accurate commentaries. For a relevant piece, also with a light baluster shaft, see Figure 19 on Page 35. This pair is virtuallyflawless, and with no replacements or restorations whatsoever – the only thingto possibly grumble about is that one drip pan is loose – the shaft has been woundwith thread, in order to tighten the play. It didn’t work well – I recommendremoving the thread, and using a fast-drying wood glue – it is effective, andmuch less intrusive than solder. When acquired, the foot rims were seriouslyout-of-round – I’ve corrected this – early bronze is surprisingly flexible (cold– never heat it up!).We are independently listed with the NewEngland Appraisers Association, for France or England.Under France, you will find me listed twice – the first time isas the founder of record of the New EnglandAppraisers Association.Condition: basciallyoutstanding, and with no repairs or replacements whatsoever: as-seen, and asdescribed above. The pair otherwise has slightly less than the usual normal wear thatcan be expected on early metalwork. Photos are high resolution – usemagnification for viewing details. Please ask, if you wishadditional photos.© R. JosefBurdett-Williamson Certified expert & appraiser, New England Appraisers Association.FoundingTrustee, NewBedford Museum of Glass.Height – 10” (25.4 cm.): drip pan diameter: 3& 1/16" (7.7cm.): foot width –4"(10.2 cm.). Total weight– 980 grams, not including packaging.Insured mailing within France is 11 Euros; to the UK & EU is 18Euros – to North America is38 Euros.We don't charge for packing & handling, & always offer grouped rate posting, with no time limits.We ship from both France & the UK– please read listings carefully – rates& conditions are substantially different.This is not a"decorator" shop - eBay’s Consumer Goods-generated “Hassle-freereturns” policy does not apply to arbitrary whim, or unqualifiedopinion! Returns areaccepted - if: there is amajor problem with the age, condition or origin of a piece as described;and this is confirmed by aqualified expert with professionalcredentials. Photographs of any alleged damage arerequired - they are mandatory for insurance claims.What you pay for shippingis our actual cost –international shipping is stupidlyexpensive - we have absolutely no control over rates – I lose 4% toPayPal, and often absorbextra costs, such as double-boxing.International buyers – please inquire, as to mailing costs!Payments:PayPal, French or UK checks, or bank drafts, & all banktransfers accepted. I am obligedto accept PayPal, but prefer bank transfers, or UK or French checks - PayPaltakes a 4% bite out of all transactions - including shipping costs.Dear buyers – apologies for the intrusive copyrightlines, but they are there because R. Josef is an extensively published expertwith ongoing academic & commercial commissions, including forthcomingbooks. Listings often contain original research & information that has notappeared before; several British & Continental eBay sellers have beenreported for plagiarizing formatting & texts. Wefiercely protect our Intellectual Property rights – and in court, whennecessary.
00043
