Rare Antique French Vermeil Episcopal Candleholder

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

France 19th Century c.H: 18"W: 6"D: 4.5"Reference number: CC-272