Candlestick (near pair)

1820-1860

Measurements

9-3/4 in x 4-1/8 in x 3-5/8 in

Materials

Brass, iron

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, The David Wilson Mansion, Inc.

Accession Number

1971.926

Condition Notes

Candlestick 1971.926.1 has a solder repair at the top of the base (2-3/8 in from bottom).

Provenance

Ex coll. Mrs. E. Tatnall (Mary Corbit) Warner

Comments

This pair of “beehive” candlesticks, so-called for the inverted beehive-shaped section of the shaft, are probably better understood as a near pair.  One stick is slightly larger than the other—seemingly too large a difference coming from the same mold, if they were a true pair.  If rates of cooling contributed to size differences, another difference exists:  the cove molding immediately below the cylindrical section below the bobeche (at the top, to catch candle drips) differs between the two sticks.  Otherwise, they have the same sequence of decorative elements, and both have ejectors.  Ejectors allow the user to press the end of the ejector, located inside the base, to push the remaining candle stub out of the candle socket.

Beehive styled candlesticks typically have the inverted beehives in the same approximate location, and they have a prominent faceted ring above.  The bases are square or rectangular (as these) with canted corners.