Rare Antique French Vermeil Episcopal Candleholder
$18,000
France, 19th Century c.
H: 18" W: 6" D: 4.5"
Silver weight: 25.65 oz
A very Rare French Vermeil Acanthus leaves Decorated Episcopal Candleholder
The incredible Antique French Episcopal candleholder is entirely made in Vermeil or Gilt Silver.
The bowl of the candleholder is supported by two seashell and vines decorated feet.
The important Candleholder is decorated with chased and repoussé scrolls and stylized palmettos
This magnificent piece is complete of its wick, decorated with friezes of water leaves.
The cylindrical handle is decorated with the same chased chiseled and guillochéd, palmettos and acanthus leaves.
An absolutely gorgeous piece!
The episcopal candlestick was a mark of honor reserved for the Prelates in the liturgical services.
It appeared during the move of the popes to the City of Avignon in the early 1300s.
It was used to light the liturgical books read by the bishop during the services.
As a true necessity in dark churches, the candlestick or candleholder was made an episcopal insignia by giving it a special shape and a use determined by the ‘rubrics’.
It was an instrument generally made of silver with a real wax candle lit even if the weather is clear.
It had a narrow handle and was long enough so that the acolyte’s hand did not come too close to the book and the Prelate’s face.
Whenever the Prelate was reading, he would have the candlestick brought near him.
Since these candleholders haven’t been used in the liturgy for quite a long time, the examples remaining in France are rare and few are well preserved and as well decorated at the piece we present to you.
It is an incredible find….a true collector’s item with a size rarely seen.
The sheer silver weight is impressive.
The Hallmark is Minerva 1 for 1st title Silver (950/1000) 1838-1919 – Paris.
The Makers Mark is too erased to be read correctly, but due to the similarities with another piece of his we are attributing it to Maître Orfèvre Marie Thierry, who registered his Mark in 1853
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TERMS:
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The sales tax is included in the selling price for US or France deliveries.
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Returns:
We understand everyone’s right to a change of heart.
We guarantee the authenticity of all of our items, hence we will allow returns.
However the returns should be done no later then 3 Days after original reception of the article and will require the safe return of the item in the exact condition received.
Should the return be caused by a mistake on our part, all shipping fees will be refunded.
In other cases, the customer will be responsible for shipping charges, and insurance.
The item must be returned with the original carrier and in its original packaging, in a traceable manner.
Items with Ivory:
Please note all items sold with Ivory are in observance of the “CITES” Washington Agreement of 1973. Hence they were created more then 50 years ago.
A special note:
Unless ortherwise cited, all our items are antiques. The ‘all’ beauty of antiques is their age and their sense of coming from another time.
Therefore, SilverArtbyD&R presents to you pieces that come with a life and possibly visible indications of the sumptuous occasions under chandeliers and candlelight.
Remember this is of the past …and not the new …and the scars of the past only add to the character.
