Mid 20th Century Pair of Hand-Painted Porcelain Monkey & Tole Palm Candlesticks, Petites Choses Attributed

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Whimsical and finely crafted, this pair of hand-painted porcelain monkey and tole palm candlesticks is attributed to Petite Choses, the … Read more Whimsical and finely crafted, this pair of hand-painted porcelain monkey and tole palm candlesticks is attributed to Petite Choses, the American decorative arts studio known for its imaginative mixed-media designs with porcelain and metal.

Each candlestick features a porcelain monkey in a naturalistic pose, rendered in warm tones with expressive handpainted facial detailing. Rising above each figure is a painted tole palm tree, its layered metal leaves forming a stylized canopy with the candle cup.

The candlesticks are grounded by circular metal bases with sculpted leaf platforms, providing both stability and visual continuity. Construction, materials, and scale closely corresponds to Petite Choses examples that retain their original labels.

This design aligns with work produced by Fred Akard, a noted American decorative artist associated with Petite Choses, whose work is recognized for its whimsical subject matter, refined craftsmanship, and imaginative use of mixed media. Akard’s designs often blend sculptural porcelain elements with painted metal forms, resulting in playful yet sophisticated objects that straddle the line between functional décor and collectible art. See less