What is this weird wear on bronze?

I'm thinking about bidding on two 18th century bronze candlesticks online. I just can't figure out what this weird wear and tear on the surface is: it looks as if a layer of bronze what flaked off or something. Aren't 18th century candlesticks usually solid bronze? So what do you think it is?

 

Probably lacquered and this is where the lacquer has flaked off and allowed the patina to form on the bare metal.

 

Would 18th century candlesticks be lacquered?
Just asking as I don't know.

 

They could have been lacquered at any point in their existence. My mother had a pair of silver plated andirons that she sent out to be lacquered almost a decade after they were plated.

 

Update: There are so far eight bidders for the candlesticks and one (apart from myself) seems very keen on getting them. These candlesticks are my favourite item in a long time and I know if I don't win the auction I'm going to be bitter about it for the rest of my life or until I find and buy a pair of better candlesticks, which may take years.

 

You're sure that there not gold plated candle sticks on bronze ? Look t at the picture and enlarged it and the layer is not lacquer and to thick . Gold plated from that age is possible and gives you the reason that more people are interested in it . And the colour is right for gold plated also

 

there's an idea...

 

I'd run a mile from anything that looked like that. Gold plating was not possible in the 18th C. No electricity. The nearest thing was mecury gilding which does not deteriorate like that.

 

The auction house is quite big, established and slightly higher-end with experts specialising on several different areas so I usually just assume their valuations are correct. Their listings often specifically point out when an item is gilded, etc. This one hasn't been.
The item description however does state there are "repairs" whatever that means.

 

big houses make big mistakes...sometimes..

 

Some of y'all are so doubtful.

 

They have a return-policy though.

 

No....just experience from what I've seen & heard .

 

The bidding ends in a few minutes.
I'm not going to bid because I don't need another question-rising item with unclear details. I also don't need a project.

 

a wise choice....