{"id":8649341763734,"title":"A Pair of 19th-century Chinese Export silver and hardwood chamber candlesticks.","handle":"a-charming-pair-of-19th-century-chinese-export-silver-and-hardwood-chamber-candlesticks","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Charming Pair of 19th Century Chinese Export Silver and Hardwood Chamber Candlesticks\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA charming and unusual pair of 19th-century Chinese Export silver and hardwood chamber candlesticks, finely crafted as architectural columns. Each column is decorated with restrained chased and repoussé ornament, composed of a series of floral friezes arranged within five distinct registers. The silver chamber bases are similarly embellished with stylised bamboo motifs and are mounted on finely carved hardwood pedestal bases enriched with lotus blossom and decorative cartouches.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe architectural form of these candlesticks recalls the monumental carved stone columns of traditional Chinese architecture, particularly those of the Ming dynasty. Such columns adorned temples, gardens, and the Imperial Ming Tombs outside Beijing, where they were frequently decorated in horizontal registers depicting dragons, celestial motifs, and auspicious floral ornament. These candlesticks reinterpret this monumental vocabulary on an intimate domestic scale.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRich in symbolism, every decorative element reflects the profound significance of plants within Chinese culture. The stylised bamboo decorating the chamber bases is one of the celebrated \"Four Noble Plants,\" representing purity, integrity, humility, and resilience. Beyond its symbolic importance, bamboo played an indispensable role in everyday Chinese life for centuries.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe floral decoration continues across the column with three registers depicting plum blossom (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrunus mume\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e), one of the most revered motifs in Chinese art. Blooming in the depths of winter, the plum blossom symbolises perseverance, inner beauty, modesty, and hope in the face of adversity. In Chinese folk tradition, its five petals represent the \"Five Blessings\" (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWu Fu\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e): happiness (Fu), prosperity (Lu), longevity (Shou), joy (Xi), and wealth (Cai).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnother register is decorated with chrysanthemums, long associated with longevity, wealth, and scholarly virtue. Deeply admired by Chinese literati, the chrysanthemum earned the title \"Hermit of All Flowers\" through its association with the celebrated poet Tao Yuanming (365–427 AD), whose writings praised a life of simplicity, contemplation, and harmony with nature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe uppermost register features a frieze of stylised pendent fruit, most likely representing plums, reinforcing the symbolism of endurance, strength, perseverance, and renewal already established by the blossom below.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe carved hardwood bases are enriched with lotus blossoms, one of the most enduring symbols in Chinese art. Rising unsullied from muddy waters, the lotus represents purity, spiritual enlightenment, beauty, and moral perfection, making it a fitting complement to the auspicious floral decoration above.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeautifully combining traditional Chinese iconography with refined export craftsmanship, these candlesticks were created for the discerning Western market during the 19th century. They perfectly illustrate the exceptional skill of Chinese silversmiths in adapting indigenous artistic traditions to objects intended for export, resulting in works that are both highly decorative and deeply symbolic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight: 12.5 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWidth: 7 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLength: 7 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTotal Weight: 583 grams\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","published_at":"2026-04-28T14:54:55+01:00","created_at":"2026-04-28T14:54:54+01:00","vendor":"Joseph Cohen Antiques","type":"","tags":["Chinese Export Silver"],"price":125000,"price_min":125000,"price_max":125000,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":46364553674902,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"JC-07219","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"A Pair of 19th-century Chinese Export silver and hardwood chamber candlesticks.","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":125000,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":null,"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[],"quantity_rule":{"min":1,"max":null,"increment":1}}],"images":["\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Candles1.jpg?v=1777470561","\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Indian_candle.jpg?v=1777625995"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Candles1.jpg?v=1777470561","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":32622910439574,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.28,"height":1875,"width":2400,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Candles1.jpg?v=1777470561"},"aspect_ratio":1.28,"height":1875,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Candles1.jpg?v=1777470561","width":2400},{"alt":null,"id":32627698499734,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.174,"height":2044,"width":2400,"src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Indian_candle.jpg?v=1777625995"},"aspect_ratio":1.174,"height":2044,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.josephcohenantiques.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Indian_candle.jpg?v=1777625995","width":2400}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Charming Pair of 19th Century Chinese Export Silver and Hardwood Chamber Candlesticks\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA charming and unusual pair of 19th-century Chinese Export silver and hardwood chamber candlesticks, finely crafted as architectural columns. Each column is decorated with restrained chased and repoussé ornament, composed of a series of floral friezes arranged within five distinct registers. The silver chamber bases are similarly embellished with stylised bamboo motifs and are mounted on finely carved hardwood pedestal bases enriched with lotus blossom and decorative cartouches.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe architectural form of these candlesticks recalls the monumental carved stone columns of traditional Chinese architecture, particularly those of the Ming dynasty. Such columns adorned temples, gardens, and the Imperial Ming Tombs outside Beijing, where they were frequently decorated in horizontal registers depicting dragons, celestial motifs, and auspicious floral ornament. These candlesticks reinterpret this monumental vocabulary on an intimate domestic scale.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRich in symbolism, every decorative element reflects the profound significance of plants within Chinese culture. The stylised bamboo decorating the chamber bases is one of the celebrated \"Four Noble Plants,\" representing purity, integrity, humility, and resilience. Beyond its symbolic importance, bamboo played an indispensable role in everyday Chinese life for centuries.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe floral decoration continues across the column with three registers depicting plum blossom (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrunus mume\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e), one of the most revered motifs in Chinese art. Blooming in the depths of winter, the plum blossom symbolises perseverance, inner beauty, modesty, and hope in the face of adversity. In Chinese folk tradition, its five petals represent the \"Five Blessings\" (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWu Fu\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e): happiness (Fu), prosperity (Lu), longevity (Shou), joy (Xi), and wealth (Cai).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnother register is decorated with chrysanthemums, long associated with longevity, wealth, and scholarly virtue. Deeply admired by Chinese literati, the chrysanthemum earned the title \"Hermit of All Flowers\" through its association with the celebrated poet Tao Yuanming (365–427 AD), whose writings praised a life of simplicity, contemplation, and harmony with nature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe uppermost register features a frieze of stylised pendent fruit, most likely representing plums, reinforcing the symbolism of endurance, strength, perseverance, and renewal already established by the blossom below.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe carved hardwood bases are enriched with lotus blossoms, one of the most enduring symbols in Chinese art. Rising unsullied from muddy waters, the lotus represents purity, spiritual enlightenment, beauty, and moral perfection, making it a fitting complement to the auspicious floral decoration above.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeautifully combining traditional Chinese iconography with refined export craftsmanship, these candlesticks were created for the discerning Western market during the 19th century. They perfectly illustrate the exceptional skill of Chinese silversmiths in adapting indigenous artistic traditions to objects intended for export, resulting in works that are both highly decorative and deeply symbolic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight: 12.5 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWidth: 7 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLength: 7 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTotal Weight: 583 grams\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e"}