A little light in the darkness (more on unusual
candlesticks)
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Possibly one of the
most stunningly beautiful (and rare) Carnival Glass
candlesticks, this Sublime Deco single candleholder was made by Libochovice, in
Czechoslovakia, in the early 1930s.
The iridescence
is breathtaking, and also very hard to capture on camera. Turn it one way and it is loaded with
aqua, and shimmering turquoise - turn it another way and a myriad of darker blues and
purple-pinks cascade over the glass. Moulded on the base is the word
TCHECOSLOVAQUIE.
The fabulous effect comes from the incredible iridescence that has been applied to both
frosted and clear surfaces. The frosted / iridised surfaces are those that have the curving
scrolls. The iridised only surfaces are at the top, the bottom and the central diamond
section.
The candlestick
stands 7" high.
A double
candlestick is also known in this style.
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The word "rare" is often over-used with regard to Carnival, but Brockwitz' Jesus (Christus) and Maria (aka
Saint) candlesticks really are rare, the number reported being in single figures.
There are two versions of these candlesticks - one
with a square base, as pictured below, left - and one with a round base and scroll feet, as shown in the
Brockwitz catalog illustrations. So far, only the square
base version of Jesus and Maria is known in Carnival Glass, and marigold is the only colour currently
reported.
A Maria candlestick was shown in Sherman Hand's books, sadly
missing the top part of the candleholder.
The marigold Jesus and Maria on the square base both stand
10" high. The version with the round base and scroll feet that has not so far been reported in Carnival, is
taller, at 12" high. These items were shown in Brockwitz' catalogs as early as 1915 (and possibly before). They
continued to appear in them right through to the early 1940s - no doubt the design had a constant
appeal.
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Brockwitz Jesus candlestick.
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Catalog (Musterbuch)
illustration of Brockwitz Christus, left, and Maria.
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Brockwitz Maria candlestick, courtesy
of Kelly Markley.
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Beware of the "fake" Jesus and Maria candlesticks!
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In 2004 we saw a flurry of "fake" Jesus and
Maria candlesticks appear in mainland Europe.
They appear to have been cold iridised
(using a painted on iridescence) and the candlesticks that were used were old Fenne originals in
clear glass. Fenne's Christ and Maria candlesticks are very different to the Brockwitz ones and can
be easily distinguished. The iridescence on the "fakes" is light and spotty and comes off
easily.
Shown
here are the two for direct comparison - on the left is the fake Fenne and on the right
is the Brockwitz original.
Note the pale
iridescence on the Fenne - it will scrub off! The candleholder at the top has several oak
leaves, clearly shown. The most distinguishing characteristic, however, is the base, with its
ornate fan feet.
We had to
photograph the item against black as the iridescence is so pale and spotty that it would have been
impossible to see the item clearly on a white background.
The fake is a
shade over 11" high, wheras the Brockwitz original is 10".
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Fake Fenne
version
Original Brockwitz
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