LOT 0604

The 'Wenhaston Lion' English Animalier Candlestick

12TH-13TH CENTURY AD

3 1/2" (177 grams, 88mm).

A detailed bronze candlestick formed as a crouching lion with open jaws, hatched panels to the chest, recurved tail with serrated outer edge and loop finial providing a handle for carrying; the body pierced vertically from neck to chest to accept a columnar candle holder, now absent and horizontally through the open mouth; front legs with stub paws and hindlegs with horizontal feet; resembling an aquamanile in general form and in some detailing.

Found by David Steadman whilst metal detecting near Wenhaston, Suffolk, UK, in 2018; accompanied by a copy of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report, reference number NMS-11D931; and several old photographs of other known examples including the Victoria and Albert Museum example.

See Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS), report reference number NMS-11D931.

See Egan, G. The Medieval Household. Daily Living c.1150-c.1450, London, 2010, item 425 for similar example; also The Lear Collection of Socket Candlesticks, Christie's sale 15th December 1998, lots 27 (sold for £17,250 hammer) and 28 (guided £8,000-10,000).

Examples modelled in the round with anatomical detailing, as this one is, are extremely rare while cruder examples showing little detail have been found in Belgium, Denmark and elsewhere.