Hey all, I picked up this candle holder yesterday at an estate sale. There was a pair but the other one was sadly broken. I thought that the mythological theme was very interesting. I am interested if anyone can help me with the age. I am quite at a loss. It is very solid and heavy, and I'm thinking brass, but it's possible it could be ormolu. Thanks!!!!
It doesn't read as old to me. The color and the inside of the base look fairly recent ... but I'm willing to be told I'm all wet by the experts.
https://relics.es/en/products/devil-candelabra-with-snakes "PERIOD: 19th century" But this one was sold as : "Candelabra in gilded bronze"
I'd make him to be a full on satyr or Pan himself. The snakes don't make any sense to me mythologically, but are marvelous structurally. Like the hoofed figure, they are wild & slightly menacing.
I saw that one and did not agree that he was the devil. Also hers is more dull and has some extra details like the ridges on the snakes that mine does not have, so I figured mine was probably made at a different time. Possibly hers is bronze while mine is brass.
So I checked with a friend who told me that the original nut is the brass square shaped one under the hex nut which was for likely added later for stability. He estimated that it's probably from the turn of the century. Thanks for the help! It was too interesting not to pick up!
