Jan & John Maggs

Antiques and Art

 Pair of Dutch 1700’s repousse brass sconces – Spies of Canaan

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An amazing hand-hammered pair of brass repousse round wall sconces are Dutch and date from the 1700’s. They feature images of the ‘Two Spies of Canaan,” (Phineas and Caleb), returning from The Promised Land, with proof of its plenty. They are transporting a large cluster of grapes suspended from a rod balanced on their shoulders. This image appears on many early alms dishes, however, these are the first sconces we have seen.

The brass work is domed, meant to reflect and diffuse candlelight in front of hammered, pierced designs. Surrounding the central feature there are cyma scrolls and foliate stemming from the applied brass plaque which supports the two candle arms. A row of punched and scalloped areas leads to the decorative brass gadrooning which has been applied over the iron wire rim.

The measurement of the sconce back plate is 14 ¾”, and the associated arms extend to 9 ½”. There is a brass hanging loop at the verso of the top. [Reminder: Never leave lighted candles unattended.]

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