Pair of Large Nuremberg Renaissance Brass Pricket Candlesticks

An impressive matched pair of late 16th-century brass pricket candlesticks, each of tall and elegant form, with domed circular bases supporting swelling baluster stems rising to drip pans and tall central prickets. The sculptural profile, with its pronounced knops and architectural rhythm, is characteristic of Nuremberg workshops, which dominated brass production in Germany during the Renaissance.
At over 20 inches high, these candlesticks are of exceptional scale, surpassing the more common domestic examples of 12–15 inches. Their survival as a true pair is particularly rare, since most early candlesticks were dispersed or survive singly. Nuremberg was the leading centre for brass casting in this period, exporting candlesticks, mortars, and other domestic metalwares throughout Europe. The present pair exemplifies the city’s craftsmanship, combining monumental presence with functional purpose.