Pair of Renaissance candlesticks in bronze late eighteenth early nineteenth

Pair of renaissance candlesticks in bronze late eighteenth early nineteenth. 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 turns into a repetitive 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 patterns scrolling over a row of leafy rinceaux. The rinceaux 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 was to rest. The urn is decorated with various motifs such as more leafy rinceaux 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 in the renaissance thanks to the discovery of similar motifs in ancient roman houses: "italian caveschi" In the middle ages, iron chandeliers were used in kitchens, wooden in the great halls of castles, and bronze, copper or brass in bourgeois interiors. H16 X 16.