Putto Bronze Candle Holder
A putto bronze candle holder brings classical sculptural presence to a room, cast in metal and supported by stone.
Putto Bronze Candle Holder
A putto bronze candle holder combines figural bronze sculpture with functional lighting, most often taking the form of a pair of candlesticks or multi-arm candelabra. The figures depicted are winged cherubs or putti, frequently modelled after classical motifs or specific makers such as Clodion and François Redmond.
The objects listed span the eighteenth, nineteenth and Victorian periods, with French Empire, Louis XVI style and Italian Grand Tour designs dominating the selection. These pieces frequently pair cast metal figures with contrasting white marble bases.
Buyers will encounter single desk candlesticks alongside substantial multi-light candelabra and clock garnitures. The smaller examples serve for accent lighting, while larger multi-branch pieces function as table or mantel centrepieces.
Materials and construction methods
The construction relies on metal casting, using bronze, ormolu, gilt bronze, patinated bronze, and occasionally bronzed spelter. Figures and mountings are cast in sections, chased by hand to sharpen details, and then gilded or given a dark patina.
Many examples incorporate carved white marble bases or columns that anchor the heavier metal figures. Additional decorative elements such as enamel or fluorspar are integrated into the design to add colour and texture to the composition.
Putto Bronze Candle Holder Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for putto bronze candle holder among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings feature eighteenth and nineteenth-century pieces, spanning the Victorian era, Regency period, and Napoleon III reign.
Distinguishing quality in cast metal figures
The selection of materials also dictates standing, with heavy gilt bronze and genuine marble bases marking higher-grade workshop production compared to lighter alloys or composite substitutes. The harmony between the patinated or gilded metal and the stone base reveals the maker's hand.
Francois Redmond·Claude Clodion
The Putto Bronze Candle Holder Glossary
- Putto
- A plump, often winged child figure derived from classical art. These figures form the central sculptural motif of the candlesticks.
- Ormolu
- Finely ground high-carat gold applied to bronze through a mercury-gilding process. This technique gives the metal a rich, enduring lustre.
- Candelabra
- A branched candlestick holding multiple lights. They provide symmetry and brighter illumination than single candle holders.
- Clock garniture
- A set comprising a mantel clock flanked by matching candelabra or vases. These decorative suites coordinate a chiming timepiece with matching candle supports.
- Grand Tour
- A nineteenth-century cultural journey undertaken by wealthy Europeans to collect antiquities and classical art. Many Italian bronze pieces date from this era of travel.
Putto Bronze Candle Holder: Frequently Asked Questions
Are these candelabra suitable for everyday use?
These pieces function well with standard taper candles, though they require steady placement on level surfaces due to their weight distribution. Drip-catching is minimal, so snuffs should be used carefully.
Many collectors prefer to display them unlit as sculptural art objects rather than risk wax accumulation on antique metal and stone.
How can I tell a nineteenth-century copy from an eighteenth-century original?
Nineteenth-century revivals often display heavier casting techniques and machine-toothed fixings rather than hand-cut threads. Examining the underside of the marble base reveals construction methods typical of the Victorian era.
Stylistic cues also help, as nineteenth-century makers frequently blended Louis XVI forms with eclectic Empire revival details.
What is a clock garniture set?
A clock garniture pairs a central mantel clock with matching side pieces such as candelabra. These sets were designed to create a balanced decorative display across a fireplace mantel.
The components share identical casting motifs, materials like marble and ormolu, and stylistic periods to unify the interior scheme.