15th century Veneto Saracenic candlestick

Veneto- Saracenic candlestick
Engraved bronze
15th century
12,5 x 6,2 cm

This rare candlestick exemplify exquisite craftsmanship, featuring a bell-shaped base with a flared foot adorned with intricate engraved patterns. The decoration consists of interwoven geometric designs and floral motifs that showcase remarkable precision. Above the base sits a flat, circular platform with slightly downward-curving edges, designed to catch wax drippings. This platform continues the engraved decoration, ensuring a seamless visual flow across the structure. Rising from the center of the platform is a cylindrical stem that tapers subtly towards the top. The stem is richly embellished with intricate bands of decorative motifs, culminating in a hollow opening intended to hold a candle.
The candlesticks bear coats of arms in a typical European style: flat at the top and tapering toward the bottom. the blank escutcheon, suggest that it was left intentionally unmarked for a future owner to add their family coat of arms. Similar candlesticks with blank shields can be found in the Rijksmuseum and the British Museum, indicating a widespread demand for such items in Europe. Merchants likely commissioned these pieces for the open market, allowing buyers to personalize them with their own heraldic symbols.
Despite the European shape and the inclusion of coats of arms, the decorative elements of this candlestick are distinctly Mamluk in style. Intended primarily for the Italian market, they are notably smaller than those crafted for a Mamluk clientele, which could be two to three times larger. The candlesticks reflect the technical innovations of Islamic metalworkers, particularly their advanced use of sand-casting for vessels and three-dimensional forms—a method that predated its widespread adoption in Europe by several centuries. These pieces were cast in multiple sections and meticulously assembled to achieve their final form.
The engraved arabesques, thread-like scrolls, acanthus leaves, and palmettes provide a striking contrast to the coats of arms, which are the only Western elements on this object. This combination of Eastern and European influences defines a category of artworks known as Veneto-Saracenic. This term refers to a group of metal vessels produced between the 14th and 16th centuries that blend Middle Eastern craftsmanship with European stylistic features. Initially believed to have been created in Muslim workshops in Venice, these objects are now understood to have been produced in the Near East—particularly Egypt and Syria—specifically for Western clients.
These candlesticks serve as rare examples of how Venetian upper bourgeoisie and nobility embraced Orientalist influences during the late Renaissance. The fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the subsequent rise of the Ottoman Empire positioned Venice as the principal commercial ally of Istanbul, the new economic hub of the region. This close relationship undoubtedly influenced Venetian tastes, fostering an appreciation for Orientalist culture.
The group of works known as Veneto-Saracenic testifies to this fascination and cross-cultural exchange, offering a glimpse into the rich artistic dialogue between East and West at a pivotal moment in history.


Bibliography:
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