Enquiry about object: 6336
Magnificent Burmese Silver Candlestick
Burma (Myanmar) circa 1880
height: 27cm, diameter of base: 11.9cm, weight: 692g
Provenance
UK art market
This magnificent candlestick is of solid cast, engraved, chased and repoussed silver.
It shows a mythical Burmese figure in extravagant royal court dress holding aloft a flower stem which doubles as the holder for a candle. The figure stands on one foot with the other raised in the air in a dance pose. The figure stands on a round, domed base decorated with a border of acanthus leaves below which are repoussed seven seated or kneeling figures in traditional Burmese attire.
The figure’s attire includes a channavira chain of office that criss-crosses his chest.
The figure is extremely well modelled. A pair of less intricate examples are illustrated in Dehejia (2008, p. 209). This pair and our example are the only such examples of which we are aware.
Such candlesticks were made by Burmese silversmiths for the colonial market.
Our example is in excellent condition.
References
Dehejia, V., Delight in Design: Indian Silver for the Raj, Mapin, 2008.
Fraser-Lu, S., Silverware of South-East Asia, Oxford University Press, 1989.
Fraser-Lu, S., Burmese Crafts: Past and Present, Oxford University Press, 1994.
Tilly, H.L., The Silverwork of Burma (with Photographs by P. Klier), The Superintendent, Government Printing, 1902.
Tilly, H.L., Modern Burmese Silverwork (with Photographs by P. Klier), The Superintendent, Government Printing, 1904.
