Carved, gilded and painted wood candleholder, Spanish work, 17th century

- Important carved, gilded and polychromed walnut candleholder.

- As a whole, this sculpture is conceived as a column, with a shaft surrounded, as if encircled, by horizontally carved friezes. At the top, a round basin bordered by a frieze of stylized leaves crowns the whole. The round base is adorned with acanthus leaves arranged in a rosette (added element).

- The rich frieze-like decoration runs the length of the column. Two registers show a gallery of full-length portraits of four saints. Each figure is carved in a niche and announced by gilded lettering. The legible lettering identifies "S. Maria", "S. Carpophor", while the identity of others is not revealed.
Other "sculpted friezes" with various ornaments run freely across the entire object: putti heads, scrolls and acanthus leaves curving outwards, faces of male figures with Hispanic physiognomy (moustache with ends curved upwards, wavy hair falling over shoulders)...

- The decor is finely sculpted, with a profusion of details and a concern to give the illusion of life. The saintly figures, for example, are sculpted with a focus on individualizing their faces, in a variety of lively poses (contrapostos, gestures, etc.) and with great precision (details of costumes, drapery, facial features, etc.). In addition, the decorative repertoire used includes goldsmith's imitation processes such as "piquetés". The use of piquetage allows the light to catch and smooth elements to stand out, as here; vine tendrils with polychrome leaves and tendrils stand out against the gilded piqueted background. This quest for naturalism, which flourishes in the human and plant figures and in the rendering of textures, testifies to great technical mastery and a very special sensitivity.

- Numerous alternating effects are created between recessed and protruding areas, with the sculpture's contour behaving like a sinuous line, with movement. In this way, decorative research takes precedence over the architectonic spirit; by taking advantage of the round shape of the shaft, the sculptor's creative freedom succeeds in thwarting the verticality of the object.

- Traces of polychromy (notably greens and reds) painted over the gilding underline the object's precious character, especially when one imagines it lit solely by candlelight. The wear and tear of time, revealing the plate in places, reveals delightful shifts in color; from the red of the Bol d'Arménie, to gilding and/or polychromatic hues.

17th-century Spanish work, with some missing parts (see photos).

- Height: 179 cm, Top diameter: 31.5 cm , Foot diameter: 45 cm

Ref: YKJCA6RUCT