TL2358

A pair of early 18th century Roman ormolu / fire gilt bronze altar pricket candlesticks in the bold high baroque style of the period. These were clearly commissioned in Rome on behalf the French Crown as a donation during the reign of Pope Clement XI (1700- 1721).
 
Surmounted by crowns, the Fleur de Lys on two sides of each closely echo those on the finials of the Spanish Steps (finally completed thanks to an earlier French diplomatic donation in 1725. The dove of peace depicted on the third side may commemorate the end of the war of the Spanish succession (1714) 
 
Possibly removed from one of the Roman French churches Trinita dei Monti (at the top of the Spanish Steps) or San Luigi dei Francesi during later turmoil or redecoration, these have come recently from a grand house of the Vatican estate.     
 
H 78cm x W 20cm