Pair of Tall 18th Century Italian Bronze Pricket Candlesticks

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A tall and commanding pair of Italian pricket sticks in solid bronze, 18th century. At over 30 inches high, these … Read more A tall and commanding pair of Italian pricket sticks in solid bronze, 18th century. At over 30 inches high, these were originally designed to hold substantial devotional candles, but their presence now feels almost sculptural—pure silhouette, weight, and line. The turned baluster forms are classically proportioned, rising from broad circular bases with stacked molding to flared drip pans that taper upward into forged iron prickets.

The bronze has developed a beautiful, understated patina—soft in places, darker in others—highlighting the variations of form without flash or polish. Each casting shows subtle differences, particularly in the base proportions and turning, a reminder that these were cast and finished by hand. The prickets remain intact and can still support a traditional candle, though they work just as well with the tips left bare, used as decorative objects.

Placed on a dining table or sideboard, they bring a kind of quiet formality to a space—elegant but grounded. They also work well in pairs flanking a mirror or fireplace, especially in interiors that mix classical with rustic or modern. Their scale makes them versatile for large rooms or high ceilings, where smaller pieces disappear. See less