56” Tall Rare Pair of 18th-Century Italian Silvered & Giltwood Ecclesiastical Altar Prickets

Details

Description

A rare surviving pair of Italian altar prickets from the 18th century, carved from wood and originally silvered and gilded … Read more A rare surviving pair of Italian altar prickets from the 18th century, carved from wood and originally silvered and gilded for ecclesiastical use.
Each stands an impressive 56 inches high, featuring a turned and carved stem, hand-forged sheet-iron bobeche, and central candle spike above a scrolled tripartite base with acanthus carving and rosette detail.
The surfaces retain layered remains of silver leaf and red bole, with natural oxidation, wax residue, and scattered restorations consistent with great age. The backs are unfinished, showing raw wood and traces of gesso—typical of pieces that once stood against a church wall or column. Minor movement in the wood and small separations are consistent with 18th-century joinery and confirm original construction.

Pairs of this scale and period seldom survive intact, as most were shortened or adapted in the 19th century for domestic interiors.

Origin: Italy, 18th century
Style: Baroque / Ecclesiastical
Materials: Silvered and gilded wood with iron bobeches and candle spikes
Dimensions: 56″ H × 15″ W × 12″ D
Condition: Structurally solid and stable. Expected wear with gesso and silver loss, minor repaired seam at one foot, stable separation at one mid-section joint, and visible oxidation to the unfinished backs. Inactive worming consistent with age. White-Glove Ready. See less