A Whimsical Pair of Victorian Bronzed Metal Candlesticks Each Formed as an Elephant Before a Palm Tree

Origin: British
Period: Late Nineteenth Century
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1875-90
Height: 4.5 inches
Base Diameter: 2.25 inches

Of small proportions, the bronzed candlesticks fashioned as palm trees with flared sconces raised on circular stepped bases with elephants in attendance and registered lozenge marks to bases survive from the last quarter of the nineteenth century.

The detailing is sharp, with the tough skin on the elephants and texture to the palm fronds both well rendered. The patination to the candlesticks is appealing and there is no loss or structural damage. The lozenge shaped date registration marks to the base are too worn to read.

The balmy combination of the palm tree and elephant as bedfellows has appeared in other pairs of candlesticks over time, such as that of Majolica, though the pairing has been used more recently in lamp designs. The Victorians would have enjoyed the novelty and exotic undertones of these candle sticks opposed to the regular brass examples more commonly found at the time.

It’s hard not to love elephants and palm trees, and come to think of it, candlelight, meaning these pocket sized sticks are a more than welcome accompaniment to ones mantelpiece, sideboard or table.