Attributed to the workshop of Nicolò Roccatagliata (active 1593-1636) Italian, Venice, circa 1570

Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, Mentmore Towers, Buckinghamshire,
by descent to Albert Edward Harry Meyer Archibald Primrose, 6th Earl of Rosebery and 2nd Earl of Midlothian, Mentmore Towers, Buckinghamshire,
his sale, Sotheby's, Mentmore, vol. II, 18 May 1977, lot 320

Mentmore, Edinburgh, 1884, vol. ii, p. 64, no. 17

Overall the condition of the bronze is good with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. The candlestick is cast in sections, some of which can be loosened. There are a few small fissures, and a number of small lacunae, including to the entablature of the lowest section and to the head of one of the putti on the third section from the bottom. There are a number of very small, probably original drill holes. There are two short pours to the lowest section, underneath two of the pictorial oval reliefs. The candlstick was fitted for electricity in the twentieth century and the top fitting is modern.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The foot of this candlestick is triangular, with at each corner a cherub and on each side an oval cartouche enclosing St. Jerome, the Crucifixion and another saint and would most probably have formed part of an ecclesiastical garniture. The inclusion of naked cherubs and cherubs' heads was particularly prevalent in the work of Niccolò Roccatagliata. For a further examples of such bases with cartouches enclosing saints see the base of the bronze Crucifxion from the Scuola Grande dei San Teodoro by Andrea Bresciano as illustrated by Avery (op.cit.) and another from the Sackler collection sold Sotheby's New York, 29 January 2010, lot 405.

RELATED LITERATURE
L. Planiscig, Venezianische Bildhauer der Renaissance, Vienna, 1921, figs. 661-664; C. Avery, 'Andrea del Bartolomeo di Alessandri detto il Bresciano" lavator di gettar di Bronzo": candelabri, satiri e battenti', M. Ceriana and V. Avery (eds.), L'Industria artistica del Bronzo del Rinascimento a venezia e nell'Italia settentrionale, Venice, 2008, pp. 233-252