A Near Pair of Chinese Ming Dynasty Cloisonne Candle Stands

Ming dynasty (1368-1644), 16th century, each with a circular flaring foot rising to broad dish shaped drip pan, decorated in cloisonne with scrolling lotus blooms and tendrils in red, blue, yellow and green enamels, all reserved on a vibrant turquoise ground, encircling foot rim are lotus petals in same enamels as flowers, one with opening to center and cover to underside (5 1/4 in., 6 1/8 in. diameter, weight 1 lb., 13 oz. or 800 grams)(some wear with surface loss to enamels; missing pricket stand, color is very good), the other with a longevity symbol to center and open to the underside (5 1/2 in., 6 1/4 in. diameter, weight: 1 lb., 14 oz. or 850 grams)(several areas of surface loss to enamels; rough wear to surface; center has a later added bronze longevity symbol that has been soldered into the open space with repairs around it; underside no longer with a cover, missing pricket stand).


Collection of Michael and Ingrid Kelly, Worldwide Gallery Antiques, Fredericksburg, Virginia From the personal collection of antique gallery owners Michael and Ingrid Kelly who owned Worldwide Gallery Antiques, dealing with antiques for over sixty-five years, retiring to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where they filled their own residence with Asian and Belle Epoch fine arts and antiques.

The candle holders were authenticated as Ming dynasty period in 1976 by Harold Stern, then Director of the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery (now National Museum of Asian Art) in Washington D.C.