Can anyone ID this brass candlestick?

NGL, I've looked at literally dozens, if not hundreds, of Indian-made candlesticks in the last couple days, on sales sites and auction sites and alibaba; and I saw very few that didn't scream junk at the tops of their little brass lungs and nothing remotely like mine. Can anyone tell me something explicit about why they think it's Indian? Or recent?

I do think it's striking that mine is so heavy (i.e. expensive to make) and has such a low center of gravity. It came with four modern candlesticks, one a big church altar candlestick -- they all feel flimsy by comparison, and mine weighs more than the other four together. The maker did NOT want that thing overturning when lit.

Someone pointed out that old candlestick stems were cast, not turned. I checked, and that's true. BUT after casting, stems were routinely put on a metal lathe to add finishing touches. If the stem had been spun to begin with, it would be hollow, would it not? This one isn't.

Again, I appreciate everyone weighing in -- I have no idea what I need to look for to recognize a good one or junk. I still don't know what this one is.

 

Thank you. It sounds like we're contemporaries! Do you still have the 1970s Indian candlesticks? I'd love to see some good ones; the ones I found online were kind of dispiriting.

 

So I've looked at literally dozens, if not hundreds, of Indian-made candlesticks in the last couple days, on sales sites and auction sites and alibaba; and I saw very few that didn't scream junk at the tops of their little brass lungs and nothing remotely like mine. Can you tell me why you think it's Indian? Or recent?

I do think it's striking that mine is so heavy (i.e. expensive to make) and has such a low center of gravity. It came with four modern candlesticks, one a big church altar candlestick -- they all feel flimsy by comparison, and mine weighs more than the other four together. The maker did NOT want that thing overturning when lit.

Someone pointed out that old candlestick stems were cast, not turned. I checked, and that's true. BUT after casting, stems were routinely put on a metal lathe to add finishing touches. If the stem had been spun to begin with, it would be hollow, would it not? This one isn't.

Again, I appreciate everyone weighing in -- I have no idea what I need to look for to recognize a good one or junk. I still don't know what this one is.

 

OK, I’m a collector, not a dealer, don’t normally browse or post in this section. I agree with Laura and AJ, this is a recent candlestick, probably from India. Not older than mid 20th century.

If you want to be able to identify by yourself what you have, then you need to spend time learning. This involves going to reputable antique dealers and auctions that let you handle items and explain. Also, BUY REFERENCE BOOKS. This is essential if you want to find real antiques. Most people don’t care - they just want something that looks nice.

From there, judging the age of candlesticks is similar to ALL antiques. Start with the style of the piece using your books. Ask yourself, when was this style first made? That gives you the earliest possible date. Next ask yourself, how was it made, and is construction and wear consistent with that earliest date, or was it made later, in the style of an earlier piece?

In this case, you won’t find that style of candlestick in a book of antique brass, because it was not made before the 20th century. Case closed, regardless of construction. But in point of fact the construction and lack of wear also points to it being newer, solidifying the conclusion.

Finally add in the experience and first-hand knowledge of the people looking at it - and Laura, AJ and I have all been around long enough to have seen this style of brass candlestick as a recent import with a “made in India” sticker on it.

 

Thanks Jeff, that is exactly it. I didn't have the energy today to explain it all, but you did it so eloquently, I could never have done it so well.

 

Thank you for the detailed answer. I appreciate you taking the time.