North-West European Brass Push-Up Candlestick

A early copper-alloy brass push-up candlestick of North-West European origin, dating to the late 15th or early 16th century. The candlestick is of hand-raised construction with a broad dished base, slender baluster stem, pear-shaped central knop, and cylindrical candle socket pierced with a push-up aperture for advancing the candle stub.

The piece displays characteristic hammering and planishing marks associated with medieval and early Renaissance brassworking traditions. The raised saucer base, elongated proportions, and socket form closely correspond to documented examples published in Christopher Bangs, The Lear Collection: A Study of Copper-Alloy Socket Candlesticks A.D. 200–1700, particularly catalogue numbers 34 and 35, which are attributed to North-West Europe and dated to the late 15th/early 16th century.

Such candlesticks were produced in the brass-working centres of the Low Countries and neighbouring regions, and while a precise attribution is difficult, a Flemish or Low Countries origin is considered likely.