Pair of monumental candlesticks
AUTHOR
Giuseppe Gagliardi (1697-1749), activ. 1742-1749/ Leandro Gagliardi (1729-1804), activ. 1749-1798 (goldsmiths)
PLACE/DATE
Italy, Rome, 1751-1752
MATERIALS
Gilt silver and gilt, casted and chased bronze
DIMENSIONS
285 x 105 x 105 cm, 380 kg (MPr. 1) and 347 kg (MPr. 2)
INV
MPR.1 and 2
The two monumental candlesticks in cast gilt silver and gilt bronze impress by their size of approximately three metres in height.
Truly works of goldsmithery on a monumental scale, these pieces are part of the extraordinary collection of Italian art in the chapel of St. John the Baptist, where they were exhibited, and bear witness to the mastery of Roman Baroque production. Profusely decorated, the lower part shows the figures of the Doctors of the Church, men who distinguished themselves in the study and teaching of religion. In one of the candlesticks are St. Jerome, St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Ambrose, and on the other are St. Gregory the Great, St. Bonaventure and St. Augustine.