Old Massive Silver

Antique Royal Bishop’s Silver Candlestick, Minerva hallmark, rare, 232 g, hand-held, 19th century


Antique Royal Bishop’s Silver Candlestick, Minerva hallmark, rare, 232 g, hand-held, 19th century
Antique Royal Bishop’s Silver Candlestick, Minerva hallmark, rare, 232 g, hand-held, 19th century
Antique Royal Bishop’s Silver Candlestick, Minerva hallmark, rare, 232 g, hand-held, 19th century
Antique Royal Bishop’s Silver Candlestick, Minerva hallmark, rare, 232 g, hand-held, 19th century
Antique Royal Bishop’s Silver Candlestick, Minerva hallmark, rare, 232 g, hand-held, 19th century
Antique Royal Bishop’s Silver Candlestick, Minerva hallmark, rare, 232 g, hand-held, 19th century

Antique Royal Bishop’s Silver Candlestick, Minerva hallmark, rare, 232 g, hand-held, 19th century    Antique Royal Bishop’s Silver Candlestick, Minerva hallmark, rare, 232 g, hand-held, 19th century

In solid silver Minerve, this very old hand-held candlestick is decorated with fleur-de-lis and features a crown ornamentation that appears to have been added on top, like the mark of ownership of a royal family. The hallmarks are extremely rare, especially the master’s lozenge hallmark. This master’s mark features a crowned bird and the initials ED. I believe this is one of the pieces on which this silversmith’s mark is best preserved in the world.

For an object of this type, its dimensions are quite impressive, and it is heavy (232 g).

It is actually an episcopal candlestick, a mark of honor reserved for prelates during liturgical services.

It appeared during the period when the popes resided in Avignon. An essential object in dark churches, the candlestick was turned into an episcopal insignia by giving it a special shape and a use defined by the rubrics. It is an instrument generally made of silver, with a candle of real wax lit even when the weather is clear. It has a narrow handle long enough so that the acolyte’s hand is not too close to the book or the prelate’s face. Whenever the prelate reads, the candlestick must be kept near him. But precedence among different prelates must be taken into account...

During solemn services, the cleric carrying the candlestick may wear the cope in the color of the vestments used for the office, but he must not wear gloves or a biretta... He stands to the left of the bishop, and after fulfilling his role, he places the candlestick on the credence table. At the altar, he must stand near the missal. He must always accompany the book-bearer, but he is exempt from genuflections.

He stands to the left of the book-bearer. He holds the candlestick at the height of the book it illuminates, either with his right hand or with both hands, resting it on his left arm.

For a long time, this instrument has no longer been used in the liturgy. But a few examples still lie in sacristies. It is important to identify them and preserve them as precious objects.


Antique Royal Bishop’s Silver Candlestick, Minerva hallmark, rare, 232 g, hand-held, 19th century    Antique Royal Bishop’s Silver Candlestick, Minerva hallmark, rare, 232 g, hand-held, 19th century