19th Century Decorative Arts Appraisal

19th Century French Hand-Painted Ceramic Candlestick

This is a single ceramic or majolica candlestick, with a distinctive hand-painted, colorful design. Its physical characteristics include a fluted, trumpet-shaped top for holding a candle, a tapering central shaft, and a flared, three-legged base. The overall height appears to be approximately 10-12 inches given its context next to a hand and on a domestic surface. The primary color is a cream or off-white background, providing a canvas for the vibrant patterns. The decorative motifs consist of elaborate floral and foliate designs in blues, greens, yellows, and oranges, with notable scrollwork and flourishes, particularly at the flared sections of the shaft and the base. Gold accents are also visible, adding to the ornate aesthetic. The construction suggests it is a molded ceramic piece, likely majolica due to its thick glaze and deep coloration, which often indicates tin-glazed earthenware. There are no readily visible condition issues such as chips, cracks, or significant wear from the image, suggesting it is in 'very good' condition as indicated in the accompanying text. No clear maker's marks or signatures are discernible from the provided images. Based on the seller's description, this item is identified as a '19th century French candle stick,' which aligns with the decorative style and craftsmanship often found in European ceramics of that period, particularly in regions known for faience or majolica production. The quality appears to be good, with a high level of detail in the hand-painting, indicating skilled craftsmanship.