CANDLESTICK IN THE FORM OF A KNEELING BEARDED MAN

In pose and numerous details of the costume, the present kneeling figure relates closely to an example illustrated by Falke and Meyer which they catalogue as 'North German, 15th century' (op. cit., fig. 527). However, this is likely to be a later cast than the present example which also relates extremely closely to the well-known aquamanile of Aristotle and Phyllis in the Lehman Collection of the Metropolitan Museum in New York. The fitted jacket of Aristotle, along with the low-slung belt decorated with buttons and the pointed shoes all find direct comparisons with the figure on the present candlestick. In addition, the facial type, with the distinctive 'radiating' beard is virtually identical. The Met aquamanile has been extensively studied and, although previously dated to circa 1400, the most recent analysis of it suggests a slightly earlier dating in the late 14th century (Barnet and Dandridge, op.cit., no. 19).

Please note that this lot comes with Metallography and Analysis report #1358-59 from Dr. Peter Northover.