A rare pair of faience candlesticks probably Dutch Delft, late 17th/early 18th century

of square section with a stepped base rising to a ribbed, flared base, fluted shaft and flared drip tray, painted in blue with baskets of flowers and fruit and scrolling foliage

The form is based on a French silver shape known as 'à la financière' after Nicolas Fouquet (1615-80), Finance Minister to Louis XIV (see Dutch Delftware, catalogue, Aronson Antiquairs, Amsterdam 2005, p.16, for a discussion of the form). Several variations of the form are recorded in Dutch Delftware, for which see Dutch Delftware, op.cit., p.16, and no.15.