Wrought Iron Tripod Candlesticks, 1890s, Set of 2

Details

Description

This pair of wrought iron candlesticks features a tripod structure entirely handcrafted, characteristic of French artisanal ironwork. Each piece rests … Read more This pair of wrought iron candlesticks features a tripod structure entirely handcrafted, characteristic of French artisanal ironwork. Each piece rests on three wide, flattened feet forming a stable base, extended by a hammered vertical stem whose irregularities attest to the direct work at the forge.

The upper section consists of a hammered cup designed to hold a candle on a central point (pricket), a traditional system used before the widespread adoption of molded candles. A lateral scroll forms a decorative and structural handle, visually balancing the object's silhouette.
The overall effect evokes medieval forms reinterpreted in the decorative arts of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The simple lines, exposed forging, and robust volumes recall the tradition of church or castle candlesticks, widely revisited by French wrought iron artisans in historicist or regionalist interiors. ________________________________________
The Neo-Gothic style experienced a revival in Europe from the 19th century onwards, particularly in architecture and the decorative arts. Wrought iron artisans drew inspiration from medieval forms—tripod feet, pilaster cups, and forged scrolls—to create decorative objects for bourgeois homes, country houses, or Neo-Medieval settings.

These candlesticks exemplify this artisanal tradition where utilitarian function is combined with expressive and sculptural forging.

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Technical Details
• Designer: Unidentified
• Manufacturer: French wrought iron workshop
• Period: Early 20th century (stylistic estimate)
• Materials: Wrought iron
• Finish: Dark brown antique patina with natural oxidation
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Dimensions
• Height: 32 cm (12.6 in)
• Width: 20 cm (7.9 in)
• Depth: 20 cm (7.9 in)
• Weight (pair): 4 kg
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Condition
Good overall condition. Antique iron patina with even surface oxidation. Signs of wear and wax residue visible in the cups. Stable structure, no restoration observed. See less