Pair of candelabras convertible into candlesticks by E. Roger, VISCHER arms

Pair of two arms transformation candelabras in solid silver with octagonal bobeches, baluster barrel and an octagonal base with grooves and moldings.

The base is decorated with coats of arms: sand with a mermaid with two tails crowned on a natural sea. The shield is stamped with a helmet surmounted by a flight resting on a marquess crown.
VISCHER family in Basel.

Six silver bobeches.

Marks
• On the candlesticks, E. ROGER in full ; E an intertwined hammer and compass, for Émile ROGER (1893).
• On the removable arms, E. ROGER in full ; E an intertwined hammer and compass, for Émile ROGER (1893).
• French mark for solid silver "Minerve 1er titre" (950/1000).

Style from the first half of the 18th century, made in the late 19th / early 20th century.


Candelabras convertible into candlesticks are very rare, especially in solid silver. We can notably note a Portuguese model and a Joseph AUGUSTE model, both from the 18th century, at the Metropolitan of New York [1], as well as a Louis XV style model in the collections of Le Mobilier National [2].
We can find seven pairs of torches similar to ours, non-convertible, kept in the Metropolitan of New York and two at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

A very similar pair of convertible candelabras from the 18th century : Aguttes auction house, Thursday 22 March 2012, lot 264 : "Paire de flambeaux en argent de forme octogonale", Paris 1714 et 1722, est. 20 000 – 30 000 €.


[1] METROPOLITAN MUSEUM, NEW YORK, "Candlestick with candelabrum attachment", sterling silver, Lisboa, 18th century.
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM, NEW YORK, AUGUSTE, Robert Joseph, "Candelabrum (one of a pair)", argent massif, Paris, 1767-68.
[2] MOBILIER NATIONAL, PARIS, "Candélabre", silver, Paris, 1856-1889.


THE REPRESENTATION OF THE CROWNED MERMAID WITH TWO TAILS

Many European legends refer to mermaids, living not only in the sea, but also in rivers and small streams. They can take different names but their description generally conforms to traditional imagery: half-woman and half-fish beings. They are generally represented with a fish tail in one piece or divided in half.

The siren can have several symbolic interpretations, always related to water. With two tails, it is the symbol of fertility because water is the source of life. His attitude, the two tails always raised, is to be related to gestation and birth. A belly is moreover often drawn, as on the coat of arms of the candlesticks presented here.
It is also the symbol of the duality of human life, shared between organic life and spiritual life. Crowned, this divinity is a sign of prosperity and stability. Formerly we went to the sources to ask for healing.


MUSEUMS

• METROPOLITAN MUSEUM, NEW YORK, Adrian BANCKER (1703-1772), Candlestick, solid silver, New-York, 1735-50, inv. 2015.721.1.
• METROPOLITAN MUSEUM, NEW YORK, Adrian BANCKER (1703-1772), Candlestick, solid silver, New-York, 1735-50, inv. 2015.721.2.
• METROPOLITAN MUSEUM, NEW YORK, Pair of candlesticks, silver brass, France, 1745-49, inv. 48.135.113a, b, .114a, b.
• METROPOLITAN MUSEUM, NEW YORK, Paul DE LAMERIE (1688-1751) Pair of candlesticks, solid silver, London, 1731-32, inv. 69.131.15, .16.
• METROPOLITAN MUSEUM, NEW YORK, Paul DE LAMERIE (1688-1751) Pair of candlesticks, solid silver, London, 1734-35, inv. 68.141.42, .43.
• METROPOLITAN MUSEUM, NEW YORK, Paul DE LAMERIE (1688-1751) Set of four candlesticks, solid silver, London, 1728, inv. 68.141.46–.49.
• METROPOLITAN MUSEUM, NEW YORK, Jacques DELAVIGNE (Master in 1714) Pair of candlesticks, solid silver, Paris, 1723-25, inv. 48.187.251, .252.
• VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM, LONDRES, Pair of candlesticks, silver brass, France, circa 1740, M.203A-1939.
• VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM, LONDRES, David GREEN, Candlestick, one from a pair, silver, London, 1719-1729, M.386-1927.