Pair of candlesticks; Flemish School, 15th century.

Pair of candlesticks; Flemish School, 15th century.
Patinated bronze.
Measurements: 25 x 19 x 13 cm; 27 x 26 x 14 cm.
A unique pair of anthropomorphic candlesticks made of patinated bronze, in which the object’s functionality is combined with a sculptural design of remarkable interest. Each piece takes the form of a stylized male figure, bearded and dressed in a tunic cinched with a belt, whose outstretched arms hold trays and holders for two candles. This type of candelabrum belongs to a European tradition of lighting in which anthropomorphic motifs played a prominent role. Known in German literature as Männleinleuchter, these figurative holders feature variations that developed from the late Middle Ages and continued through the Renaissance.
The pair finds a particularly interesting parallel in the anthropomorphic candelabrum housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, inventory number 01.23.1. This example allows us to contextualize the tradition of figurative lighting fixtures and to study the relationship between metal sculpture and the applied arts of the late Middle Ages and early Modern Age. During the 15th century, workshops in the Southern Netherlands produced a significant number of metal objects intended for both religious and domestic use. The prosperity of cities such as Bruges, Ghent, and Brussels fostered the work of specialized artisans and the circulation of designs and techniques among various European centers. In this context, lighting objects took on a dual role: they served practical needs and, at the same time, contributed to the social status of their owners through the quality of their materials and the originality of their designs.