Pair of Altar Candlesticks

A delicate pair of altar candlesticks in a baroque style, with original polychroming and gilding. Inspired by Portuguese prototypes, the decorated candlesticks have a shaped foundation support with embossed gilt volutes while the trunk is embossed with flower and leaf motifs. The rounded wax pan sits on a baluster, and is centred by a spike to hold the candle. The form and decoration are clearly Indo-Portuguese in expression, characterised by the lack of empty spaces and the dominance of decorative elements, which are well evident in the church altars of Goa and the Southern Malabar Coast.