Description
Figural stands for candelabra became a popular theme from the middle of the seventeenth century, notably to be seen in the courts of Genoa and Venice, always giltwood but sometimes part painted. These stands are unusual particularly in the auricular design of the bases, where the sea borne theme of the tritons is continued into the large shell supported on a fantastical sting ray plinth.
The auricular style is associated with the Dutch golden age around 1650 and can be seen on silver, sculpture and picture frames in particular. However, the style and carving of these stands is decidedly Italian and relates to giltwood carving which can be found in the Pitti Palace, Florence. Large giltwood bases for sculpture commissioned from Giovanni Magni 1678 and torcheres by Francesco Pocetti in 1672 relate to this auricular taste, and can still be seen in the Royal appartments at Palazzo Pitti.
