A tall pair of Baroque pewter pricket candlesticks. Each has a turned baluster stem and a wide drip pan with a spike, set on a three-sided scrolled base with cast lion-paw feet.
The spike is the story. Before sockets, a candle was pushed down onto a pricket, and that only works with a firm beeswax candle. Beeswax was expensive, and the church required it for the altar, so long after homes moved to socketed candlesticks the church kept the pricket. The Metropolitan Museum has a very similar 18th-century pewter pair, which it catalogues as a "Pair of altar candlesticks." At 20 inches tall, these are altar size.
Unmarked. The attribution to Germany is based on the form and construction.
One candlestick has a well-done repair between the base and the shaft. Otherwise there's surface wear, small dents and oxidation consistent with age.
20" tall, base 7" x 7". Sold as a pair.
Condition: One candlestick has a well-done repair between the base and the shaft. Otherwise surface wear, small dents and oxidation consistent with age. Unmarked.
