A pair of bronze figures acting as candlesticks
Ming dynasty, 17th century, China
Height: 34 cm, 13.4 inches
The bronze figures are a true pair in mirror image, each standing with legs apart on an openwork rock base, holding a basket in one hand, the other hand held up with one of the figures holding a ruyi fungus. Strapped to each back is a sack from which a lotus stem rises up with scrolling leaves above each head terminating with a flat leaf pad that forms the candle drip pan. The figures torsos are bare, with the shoulders covered by a shawl made from leaves, the heads looking slightly to left and right with youthful good looks. The patina is rich and quite dark.
