Pair of Antique French Brass Candlesticks, Vine Leaf and Wheat Ear — France, 20th Century

The vine and the wheat sheaf are two of the oldest symbols in Western decorative art — harvest, abundance, the cycle of the year rendered in metal and placed on an altar or a table to hold a flame. French ecclesiastical metalwork of the nineteenth century returned to these motifs repeatedly, understanding that the grapevine with its curling tendrils and heavy clusters, and the wheat ear with its bristled head, offered a naturalism that purely geometric ornament could not — living forms that grew toward the light the candle would provide.

This pair is French, 20th century, in brass, each candlestick built as a slender stem rising from a three-lobed base formed from broad vine leaves lying flat — the base itself part of the botanical composition rather than a separate plinth. The stem rises through a turned collar, from which cast vine leaves branch outward at mid-height, a cluster of grapes hanging below them on a curved stem; above, the composition continues to the socket, where a further leaf group cradles the candle cup. On one candlestick, a wheat ear rises alongside the vine — the combination of harvest motifs that suggests a liturgical or seasonal purpose. Note how the vine leaves on the base, the mid-stem leaves, and the socket leaves are all modelled differently — open and flat at the base, more upright and three-dimensional at mid-stem, curled at the crown — the variation of a designer who observed growing plants rather than copied a single leaf form. The brass carries a warm patina across both pieces, deeper in the recesses of the leaf modelling.

These have survived well across more than a century. Both candlesticks are sound and well matched; one wheat ear is missing from the second piece, as noted and priced accordingly; both will benefit from a light clean before display. They stand well on a dining table, a mantelpiece, or a sideboard.

They arrive professionally packed and fully insured. All duties and import charges are our responsibility — you pay nothing beyond the listed price. Returns are accepted within 30 days.

DETAILS:
Size: each — Height 38 cm (15 in) · Width 17 cm (6.7 in)
Material: brass, warm patina throughout
Style/Period: French naturalist tradition, 20th century
Candle cups: one per candlestick — takes standard taper candles
Shipping: professionally packed, fully insured, worldwide — all import duties paid by us, nothing to settle on delivery
Condition: good antique condition; brass sound across both; one wheat ear missing from second candlestick as noted; both will benefit from a light clean before display
Returns: accepted within 30 days

Read our condition standard. Please ask if you need additional photographs or measurements.

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Maison Jaspers pays US tariffs and import duties. For other destinations, local import taxes and duties may apply and are payable by the recipient. Contact us before ordering if you need destination-specific guidance.

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Notify us within 30 days of delivery if you wish to return a piece. No reason is required. You pay return shipping for a change-of-mind return.

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