Pair of Large Grand Tour ‘Thymiaterion’ Candlesticks

£2,800

A rare pair of bronze candlesticks, the design inspired by Etruscan Thymiaterion incense burners. One with a zoomorphic tripod base with hoofed feet and doves to the knee supporting a wrythen shaft with finely detailed models if a big cat chasing a cockerel; the pair with a tripod base of sandalled feet supporting a fluted column with a figure of a boy climbing up to escape from the serpent below; each supporting candle nozzles surrounded by four doves. These candlesticks are exceptionally crisply cast and with excellent after-work chasing, Retaining the original patination of subtly varying colour, for example the serpent and dog being more brown, and the figure more black, than the green-brown patina of the candlesticks

Height 42 cm (16.5 inches)
Width 18 cm (7 inches)
Depth 18 cm (7 inches)
Italian. Early 19th Century

The present candlesticks were Inspired by Etruscan Thymiaterion incense burners thought to have been made in ancient Vulci; Thymiaterion were often used as grave goods in antiquity. Many are found in collections around the World including The British Museum and The Metropolitan Museum (illustrated)

Made in Italy during the first half of the 19th century and sold as souvenirs to wealthy people on the Grand Tour.

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