Candle stand

This candlestick’s size indicates that it is distinct from those that stood on the altar or on the sanctuary steps. The use of such articles goes back to the 4th century. Liturgical custom dictated that a large candlestick should be present in churches, to be lit at Easter. When made of wood, such candlesticks were embellished with carvings like those used in altarpiece frameworks.
This example dates from the 18th century and is made of profusely carved and entirely gilt wood. It stands on a triangular base whose rolled feet are decorated with acanthus leaves and other foliage, which continues up the conical trunk in garlands and festoons, flanking the masks and scallop shells at the centre of the composition. The shaft has a bell-shaped opening with a candle guard at the top. The five levels marked by bottlenecks are adorned with acanthus leaves, pearl patterns and other motifs.
The form and decoration of this candlestick are related to its Portuguese equivalents, but were given new life by the interpretative genius of Indo-Portuguese artistic expression, characterized by absence of empty spaces and the dominance of decorative elements, well evident in the church altars of Goa and the Southern Malabar coast.