Pair of Renaissance bronze candlesticks, late 18th, early 19th century

Pair of renaissance bronze candlesticks late 18th early 19th century circular base with two greek key rings - one on the lower base and a second on the raised bobèche. The greek key is a decorative border formed by a continuous line that transitions into a repeating pattern. It is also called "greek fret" or "meander" and has been an important symbol in greece since ancient times. Between the two greek keys is a row of leafy motifs scrolling above a row of leafy scrollwork. The foliage is repeated once more above the greek key of the bobèche. An urn-shaped column rises in the middle of the bobèche. The top of the urn is open, this is where the candle should have rested. The urn is decorated with various motifs such as more leafy scrollwork and gadroons. The most striking aspect of the urn is the pair of grotesque figurative handles on the side of the urn. These motifs became popular during the renaissance thanks to the discovery of similar motifs in ancient roman houses: "italian grottechi" in the middle ages, iron candlesticks were used in kitchens, wooden ones in the great halls of castles, and in bronze, copper or brass in bourgeois interiors. H16 X 16.