Offered by Franck Baptiste Paris
A rare pair of finely chased and mercury-gilded bronze candlesticks adorned with two blue and white porcelain figures representing the "Ho-Ho" twins*.
Seated on small mounds, they lean against trees decorated with porcelain florets that serve as candle arms and support the cups and candle holders.
The bases and cups feature openwork rocaille decoration.
The trees, rendered with a whiplash-like motion, are embellished with gilt-metal leaves and studded with small porcelain florets.
China, Kangxi period, circa 1700 for the two porcelain figures.
The flowers are Saxon porcelain.
Paris, work of a Parisian merchant-jeweler, circa 1750 for the bronze mounts.
In excellent condition, original mercury gilding, minor losses and minor restorations to the porcelain.
Dimensions:
Height: 15 cm
*The Ho-Ho twins are Chinese mythological figures symbolizing harmony and concord, whose attribute is the water lily.
They were a very fashionable good luck charm during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor (1661-1722) and were produced in large numbers in both biscuit porcelain and porcelain in the kilns of Jingdezhen and Dehua.
