PAIR OF DEVIL CANDLE HOLDERS

This remarkable pair of gilt bronze candlesticks, made in the 19th century, stands out for its bold and unusual iconography: two small devils adorned with demonic features.

Each candlestick is centered around the figure of a small demon, youthful in appearance and deceptively innocent. Naked and crouched atop foliated, tormented-looking bases, these devils are characterized by prominent horns on their foreheads, bat-like membranous wings, and a mischievous, even impish expression. The contrast between their chubby childlike bodies and infernal traits lends the ensemble a disturbing yet captivating aesthetic, echoing the spirit of 19th-century dark romanticism.

Each demon's arms are outstretched, holding stylized plant stems that blossom into floral chalices serving as candle cups. These finely chiseled stems mimic branches adorned with foliage and enhance the theatrical nature of the scene. The entire piece rests on openwork bases composed of acanthus leaves with flowing, almost liquid shapes, typical of the Rococo style reinterpreted through the 19th-century neo-Baroque taste.

The bronze is richly gilded, most likely using mercury gilding, a traditional technique that imparts a warm and deep luster. The golden patina enhances the anatomical details, facial expressions, and textural effects of the wings and foliage.

Whether a fantasy creation or a collector’s item for a cabinet of curiosities, this pair of candlesticks perfectly embodies the romantic fascination with the supernatural, the grotesque, and the tamed representations of evil.

PERIOD: 19th century
DIMENSIONS: 22 cm
SIZE: 8.7"