Two Candlesticks

The candlesticks have hollow conical bodies crowned by shallow bowl-shaped drip pans with wavy edges. The shapes vary slightly, one having a more pronounced curve at the base. The bodies and insides of the drip pans are painted in polychrome enamels with sprigs of flowers in irregular patterns. The drip pans are further decorated in monochrome purple/carmine (camaïeu pourpre) with different scalloped designs around the openings, double edge lines along the inner rims and separate foliate patterns around the outsides. The novel form enabled the candlesticks to serve as nightlights – the wide base could hold water that would extinguish candles that burned down into them.