London 1881 Silver Candlesticks with Cherub Decoration

• Acanthus - A stylized leaf motif, one of the primary decorative elements of classical Greek and Roman architecture, derived from the genus of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Mediterranean area. It is a common element in classical Greek and Roman design, and is often seen in Corinthian and Composite order columns and used as a decorative element in English, European and Australian furniture, particularly on the curve of a leg, and as decoration for a corbel.
• Embossed / Repousse - Embossing, also known as repousse, is the technique of decorating metal with raised designs, by pressing or beating out the design from the reverse side of the object.It is the opposite of chasing, where the decoration is applied from the front. An embossed or repoussed object may have chasing applied to finish off the design.
• Sconce - A light attached to a wall. Originally a candle holder that is attached to a wall with an ornamental bracket and sometimes with a reflective back plate, but now applied to an electric light that has been inspired by that design.
  
  In recent times the word has also come into use to desribe the candle holders on a candelabra.
• Foliate - Decorated with leaves or leaf-like forms.
• Loaded (candlestick) - A loaded candlestick has a hollow base that has been filled with a weight such as sand or lead shot to make it more stable and less likely to tip over. This method of stabilising candlesticks was in use during the 18th century, when large and ornate candlesticks were in vogue. The under base of the candlestick was designed to be detachable so that it could be filled with the weight, and the top of the candlestick usually featured a cup or spike to hold the candle securely in place.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• candlesticks, silver - silver, pairs, English Victorian 100