15th Century / Late Medieval Period German Antique Bronze "Bearded Man" Two Branch Candleholder / Candelabrum

This small figural candelabrum belongs to a celebrated late-medieval type. It is cast in copper alloy as the standing figure of a bearded man in a long, belted tunic. His outstretched arms form two branches, each ending in a cylindrical candle socket above a drip pan. The modelling is direct and lively, with no attempt at refinement. The beard, the set of the head and the fall of the tunic are captured in a few confident strokes, and the figure has the sturdy, slightly comic dignity of so much German domestic metalwork of the period.

Nuremberg was the great centre of this trade. Its brass and bronze founders, the Rotschmiede, supplied candlesticks, lavers and household vessels to much of northern Europe. Their figural candleholders, in the form of pages, wild men, soldiers and burghers in contemporary dress, are among the most appealing secular objects to survive from the late Gothic period. These figures were popular enough to be reproduced in quantity in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when collectors of "Gothic" interiors sought them eagerly. Period examples of the type come to the open market only rarely.

This candelabrum has been in the private collection of the owner of Holt Antiques for some years. It is now offered for sale for the first time since it was acquired.

Whilst lacking it's three feet, aside the loss of these, it is 100% authentic and not one of the later 19thC or early 20thC copies.

Provenance - Nuremberg, Germany. 15th century. Previously acquired from a private European collection. Subsequently owned by the owner of Holt Antiques.

Material: Bronze.

Condition - Good as per the images. Lacking feet as mentioned. A further detailed condition report is available upon request.

Size: Height 19 cm (Height 7 1/2")