Empire - Candelabro (2) - .813 argento

Exceptional Pair of Austrian Silver Candelabra – 56 cm – Approx. 4.5 kg Gross Weight

An outstanding and exceptionally rare pair of monumental Austrian silver candelabra, originating from an important Swiss family collection and later acquired through a reputable auction house.

These magnificent candelabra represent the highest level of Central European silversmithing craftsmanship. Their elegant proportions, richly sculpted floral ornamentation, and impressive dimensions make them true collector’s pieces of museum-quality presence.

Standing an impressive 56 cm tall, each candelabrum features a sophisticated multi-arm design with flowing Rococo-inspired curves and lavish floral decorations adorning the bases. The finely cast stems rise gracefully from substantial hexagonal bases decorated with hand-finished floral motifs of remarkable artistic quality.

Particularly noteworthy is the exceptional manufacturing process: the main structural elements appear to have been produced as single-piece castings, a highly demanding technique requiring extraordinary expertise and significantly increasing both rarity and desirability.

Specifications

* Origin: Austria
* Material: Massiv 800 Silver
* Height: 56 cm
* Total gross weight: approximately 4.5 kg
* Pair of matching candelabra
* Rich floral decoration
* Elegant multi-arm design
* Provenance: Distinguished Swiss family collection; acquired through auction house
* Condition: Consistent with age and careful preservation

Weight and Silver Content

The candelabra have been weighed and contain weighted bases; therefore, the stated weight represents the gross weight. The exact net silver content cannot be determined without dismantling the pieces. Based on construction and comparable examples, the silver content is believed to represent approximately 80% of the total weight, although this remains an estimate only.

Rarity and Collectability

Large-scale Austrian silver candelabra of this quality, size, and artistic execution are rarely encountered on the international market. Their impressive dimensions, aristocratic provenance, exceptional decorative richness, and substantial silver content place them among the most desirable categories of European decorative silver.

Pieces of comparable importance are increasingly difficult to source, especially when preserved as an original matching pair.

Expert Appraisal

According to an antique silver specialist, the pair carries an estimated replacement and collector value of approximately €15,000.

A realistic and fair current market reserve price would be in the region of €9,000, reflecting both the rarity of the pieces and current international auction trends for high-end Austrian silver.

A remarkable opportunity to acquire an imposing and highly decorative pair of Austrian silver candelabra, combining artistic excellence, historical prestige, and strong investment appeal.


Silver purity: The number 13 engraved in the centre of the wheel indicates the purity expressed in Loth (lots), the measurement system used in the Austrian Empire before the introduction of the decimal system in 1867. 13 Loths correspond to a purity of 812.5/1000 (silver 812)