Pair of Silver Candle-Holders
A Pair of Magnificent Solid Silver Candle-Holders
Early 19th century / early 1800s
solid silver (80 percent)
H: 20” (50 cm) D: 6”(15 cm) each
Opening bid: P 400,000
Lot 28 of the Leon Gallery auction in February 2020. For more information, please see leon-gallery.com
This pair of silver candle holders usually came in sets of six and were used to flank the crucifix at the altar during holy masses (Pre-Vatican II). These candle holders were decorated in the “ysot” manner in which a sharp instrument called a “tiburin” was driven into the silver sheet quickly and repeatedly with a deft silversmith’s hand. The process was very difficult because a single mistake necessitated the repetition of the entire process. In fact, a mistake simply was not acceptable. The “ysot” process of silver decoration is the oldest of silver embellishment techniques in the islands.
These ecclesiastical items are great rarities because silver is prone to being melted down during difficult and troubled times. The survival of antique Filipino ecclesiastical silver pieces is worthy of recognition and celebration.
-Augusto M. R. Gonzalez III
Pair of Silver Candle-Holders
A Pair of Magnificent Solid Silver Candle-Holders
Early 19th century / early 1800s
solid silver (80 percent)
H: 20” (50 cm) D: 6”(15 cm) each
Opening bid: P 400,000
Lot 28 of the Leon Gallery auction in February 2020. For more information, please see leon-gallery.com
This pair of silver candle holders usually came in sets of six and were used to flank the crucifix at the altar during holy masses (Pre-Vatican II). These candle holders were decorated in the “ysot” manner in which a sharp instrument called a “tiburin” was driven into the silver sheet quickly and repeatedly with a deft silversmith’s hand. The process was very difficult because a single mistake necessitated the repetition of the entire process. In fact, a mistake simply was not acceptable. The “ysot” process of silver decoration is the oldest of silver embellishment techniques in the islands.
These ecclesiastical items are great rarities because silver is prone to being melted down during difficult and troubled times. The survival of antique Filipino ecclesiastical silver pieces is worthy of recognition and celebration.
-Augusto M. R. Gonzalez III