Pair Of Solid Silver Candlesticks, Louis XVI Period (1782, Antwerp Belgium)

An important pair of solid silver candlesticks, made in 1782 by the silversmith Michel Verberckt, active in Antwerp at the end of the 18th century. These pieces are fully in keeping with the Louis XVI aesthetic, characterized by clean lines, symmetry, and antique-inspired decoration. Each candlestick rests on a stepped circular base, richly decorated with waterleaf friezes and a beaded rim, emblematic motifs of the Neoclassical vocabulary. The fluted stem rises elegantly, punctuated by gadrooned rings and a finely carved baluster knop. The circular socket, highlighted by a beaded molding, harmoniously completes the whole. The candlesticks bear 18th-century Antwerp hallmarks, including the maker's mark of Michel Verberckt, as well as the date 1782. 19th-century re-inspection marks are also present, attesting to a later official re-inspection, a common practice to guarantee the silver's purity during re-circulation or administrative changes. Their quality of execution, balanced proportions, and delicate decoration make these candlesticks a fine example of late Ancien Régime Antwerp silversmithing and attest to the high level of mastery achieved by Michel Verberckt during this period. Total weight (filled): 1.5 kg