GERMAN, 12TH CENTURY | Candlestick with an Angel

Count Gregory Stroganoff, Rome;
Kenneth Clark OM CH KCB FBA, Lord Clark of Saltwood (1903-1983);
his sale, Sotheby's London, 5 July 1984, lot 127;
private collection, Switzerland

A. Munoz and Pollack, Pieces de Choix de la collection du Comte Gregoire Stroganoff, Rome, 1912, p. 291 pl. 142;
O. von Falke and E. Meyer, Bronzegeräte des Mittelalters, Berlin, 1935, no. 14, pl. 15, as probably Lombardy, circa 1200

The condition is consistent with the candlestick having been excavated. There is wear throughout, consistent with the antiquity of the object. There is greening to the surface throughout, particularly to the underside and to the bodies of the angels. There are various losses to the gilding and the surface somewhat eroded in these areas: in particular at the hands, wings, high points of the face, and to the pricket. The wings and drip-pan appear to have been cropped (possibly due to loss or wear in history). There are fissures at the double headed neck of the angels. The feet are upturned (probably as conceived). The underside may have been added later or regilded in history. There is a particular loss to one of the chins with copperish colour. There are various residues to the surface. There is dirt. The present lot recently underwent X-ray fluorescence (XRF) elemental analysis conducted at University College London for Plowden and Smith Ltd. It is the subject of a report by Dr Jill Saunders of Plowden and Smith who concludes that the alloy is consistent with European 12th-century alloys with no traces of modern elements. Dr Saunders' report is available upon request.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The stem is in the form of two addorsed angels enveloped in a pair of wings. A further pair of wings above hold the drip pan, and the tripod base has claw feet and zoomorphic heads at the corners. Compare these heads with those on the foot of the candlestick in the Cluny Museum, Paris, illustrated in Falke and Meyer (op. cit., fig 4). Note also the interlaced scrolls on the earlier (circa 1130) Lower Saxon candlestick foot illustrated in the Zeit der Staufer exhibition catalogue (op. cit., cat. no. 683) and the twin angels on the Mosan crossfoot (ibid, cat. no. 684)RELATED LITERATURE:
Die Zeit der Staufer, exh. cat. Württembergisches Landesmuseum, Stuttgart, 1977, vol. II, figs. 484 and 485