Gorgeous 17th Century Baroque Tall Silver and Gilt Candlestick from Italy. A showstopper!
The age combined with the beautiful silver and gold gilt and patina make this one special.
The Baroque is a highly ornate and often extravagant style of architecture, art and music that flourished in Europe from the early 17th until the mid-18th century. It followed the Renaissance style. It was encouraged by the Catholic Church as a means to counter the simplicity and austerity of Protestant architecture.
The Baroque style used contrast, movement, exuberant detail, deep colour, grandeur, strong gilding and surprise to achieve a sense of awe, as one can imagine pieces like this gave nearly 400 years ago. Beautifully hand crafted and expertly carved in wood with Gesso overlay and gold with silver gilt. Modern gilding does not compare simply due to the precious metal content of the gilt.