Adjustable Brass Candlestick

(7.5"x4"x4")

This 19th-century French candlestick is made of brass – material that was commonly used for candlestick production. At the time, the brass casting process was simplified by casting the stem of the candlestick in one piece using a removable core (often referred to as hollow core casting). This allowed for a thinner and finer product. This particular candlestick features the typical pillar form, a stepped base, and a sliding knob to adjust the height of the candle as it burns. Candlestick design in the early 19th century was influenced by the introduction of the tall glass open shade, which kept the flame from flickering. In the latter part of the century, with the advent of more convenient and efficient lighting methods such as electric lighting and portable gas lamps, the need for candlesticks rapidly diminished. However, many continued to use candlesticks due to the benefits they offered. For example, when going to bed, a candlestick was lighter and simpler to use than the bulkier gas lamp. Hundreds of these superbly crafted candlesticks were made in the 19th century, which helped create an intimate and memorable setting. This sturdy and beautiful item will be a luxurious and unique addition to your home.

At this time in France, major excavations in northern Iraq at Khorsabad and Nimrud, then part of the Ottoman Turkish empire, were undertaken in the 1840s by the French and British. Numerous monumental stone sculptures and reliefs were discovered from within ancient Assyrian royal palaces, and shipped to London and Paris, which prompted public interest and  the “Assyrian Revival.” Artists working in both the decorative and fine arts found inspiration within these pieces, and architects in the United States particularly incorporated Assyrian motifs into a wide range of buildings designed in the early 20th century.