Candlestick, one of a pair

Date1758-1769

Artist/Maker Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory (1745-1769)

MediumPorcelain, soft-paste

DimensionsH. 12 1/4" W. 7 9/16" D. 5 7/16"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1971-3322,2

DescriptionPair of candlesticks depicting the fable of "The Tiger and the Fox," each featuring a large tiger striped in purple. Brown-orange fox at tiger's feet on bed of flowers against purple and green flowering bocage support which rises to support pierced, foliate candle nozzle with gilding and green scroll edged base with gilding and green.

Gold anchor period.
Label TextThis pair of candlesticks with full bocage background and two scenes from the fable "The Fox and the Tiger" is typical of the more elaborate Chelsea figures of the gold anchor period. The fable's title could have appeared in the reserve at the front of the rococo base. Fable bocage candlesticks were popular in the gold anchor period, but usually each candlestick of a pair depicted a different fable rather than two scenes from one fable as does this pair. The same models survive, but with one tiger painted as a leopard and therefore representing another fable, "The Leopard and the Fox." Other popular subjects such as sporting groups and mythological scenes are also found in bocage candlesticks.
InscribedGold anchor mark on back of each.
MarkingsNone
ProvenanceEx. Coll: Mrs. Edward G. Robinson, Los Angeles