{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O129040"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O129040/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2009BX3036/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2009BX3036/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2009BX3036","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O129040/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O129040","accessionNumber":"476&A-1907","objectType":"Pair of candlesticks","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Brass and pewter candlesticks often survive in pairs as they were sometimes used on altars in churches. The needs of church ritual inspired the production of a range of richly decorated vessels and vestments, crosses and images. For many manufacturers, the church provided the principal market until the 15th century. Wealthy churches could afford objects made of gold or silver, adorned with enamels or gems, precious materials seen as symbolic of the reverence due to the worship of God. Less wealthy churches used cheaper vessels in copper, brass or pewter.\r\n\r\nThese candlesticks have 'prickets' (spikes) to hold the candles. Pricket candlesticks developed from simple iron spikes on feet. Candlesticks like these, with conical circular bases, evolved in the mid-14th century from round based candlesticks set on 3 lion feet which in themselves evolved from tripod candlesticks.\r\n\r\nWax candles were expensive but firmer than tallow (animal fat) and were suitable for prickets.Tallow was soft and generally required a socketed candlestick. The candles dripped constantly so the candlesticks had wide, deep drip pans.\r\n\r\nFrom the 14th until the 17th century, brass candlesticks appeared in all but the most prosperous houses and churches, and were made in forms particular to the material. Socketed candlesticks made their appearance in the late 13th century and thereafter became relatively common. The earlier pricket form, was retained for the church.","physicalDescription":"Pair of candlesticks of cast and turned brass, the bases circular and of moulded stepped form tapering towards the cup-shaped drip pans, the stems each with disc-shaped knops. The drip pans have projecting rims and, in the centre, a wide tapering pricket on a stepped base. The bases and drip pans have clusters of 5 pierced circular holes.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"brass","id":"AAT10946"}],"techniques":[{"text":"casting","id":"AAT53104"},{"text":"turning","id":"AAT53158"},{"text":"piercing","id":"AAT231153"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Brass, cast, turned and pierced","categories":[{"text":"Household objects","id":"THES48939"},{"text":"Lighting","id":"THES48925"},{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"}],"styles":[{"text":"Gothic","id":"x30997"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2009BX3036"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"10","id":"THES49099"},"free":"","case":"CA13","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"10","id":"THES49099"},"free":"","case":"CA13","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Candlestick","id":""}],[{"text":"Candlestick","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Belgium","id":"x28742"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1450-1500","earliest":"1450-01-01","latest":"1500-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[],"dimensionsNote":"Measured for the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries 2005","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"The Museum bought these candlesticks from the collection of Colonel L. Prendergast, sold by his wife in 1907. They cost £4. R.P. M1745/07","historicalContext":"Brass and pewter candlesticks often survive in pairs as they were used on the altar in churches. The needs of church ritual inspired the production of a range of richly decorated vessels and vestments, crosses and images. For many manufacturers, the church provided the principal market until the 15th century. Wealthy churches could afford objects made of gold or silver, adorned with enamels or gems, precious materials seen as symbolic of the reverence due to the worship of God. Less wealthy churches used cheaper vessels in copper, brass or pewter.\r\n\r\nThese candlesticks have 'prickets' (spikes) to hold the candles. Pricket candlesticks developed from simple iron spikes on feet. Candlesticks of this form, with conical circular bases, evolved in the mid-14th century from round based candlesticks set on 3 lion feet which in themselves evolved from tripod candlesticks.\r\n\r\nWax candles were expensive but firmer than tallow (animal fat) and were suitable for prickets.Tallow was soft and generally required a socketed candlestick. The candles dripped constantly so the candlesticks had wide, deep drip pans.\r\n\r\nFrom the 14th until the 17th century, brass candlesticks appeared in all but the most prosperous houses and churches, and were made in forms particular to the material. Socketed candlesticks made their appearance in the late 13th century and thereafter became relatively common. The earlier pricket form, was retained for the church.","briefDescription":"Candlestick","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Michaelis, Ronald F., <u>Old Domestic Base-Metal Candlesticks From the 13th to the 19th Century</u>, Antique Collectors' Club, 1978, Chapter 3, \"Pricket Candle-holders\", pp. 25-37"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Wills, Geoffrey, <u>Candlesticks</u>, David and Charles, London, 1974"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Tavenor-Perry, J., <u>Dinanderie: A History and Description of Medieval Art Work in Copper, Brass and Bronze</u>, George Allen & Sons, London, 1910"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"ter Kuile, Onno, <u>Koper & Brons</u>, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Staatsuitgeverij 's-gravenhage, 1986, pp. 85 - 90"}],"production":"Southern Netherlands","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["476-1907","476A-1907"],"accessionNumberNum":"476","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":1907,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","Candlestick [1]","Candlestick [2]"],"assets":["2017KB6853","2017KB6857","2019LP8480","2019LP4886","2019LU2839","2019LV1099","2019LW8458","2019LV8822"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-16","recordCreationDate":"2006-11-06","availableToBook":false}}