Old Royal Bishop Silver Candlestick, Minerva hallmark, rare, 232g, hand-held, 19th century

  

In solid silver Minerva, this very old hand candlestick is decorated with fleur-de-lis and features a crown ornamentation that appears to have been added on top, like the mark of ownership of a royal family. The hallmarks are extremely rare, especially the master's lozenge hallmark. This maker's mark shows a crowned bird and the initials ED. A crowned falcon / un faucon couronné.

I believe this is one of the pieces in the world where this silversmith's hallmark is best preserved.

For an object of this type, its dimensions are quite impressive and it is heavy, weighing 232 g. It is in fact an episcopal candlestick, a mark of honor reserved for prelates during liturgical offices.

It appeared during the period when the popes stayed in Avignon. A necessary object in dark churches, the candlestick was turned into an episcopal insignia by giving it a special shape and a specific use defined by the rubrics. It is generally an instrument made of silver, with a real wax candle lit even when the weather is clear. It has a narrow, fairly long handle so that the acolyte's hand is not too close to the book and the prelate's face.

Whenever the prelate reads, the candlestick must be kept near him.

However, precedence must be taken into account among the various prelates... During solemn offices, the cleric carrying the candlestick may wear the cope in the color of the office vestments, but he must not wear gloves or a biretta...

He stands to the left of the bishop, and after fulfilling his role, he places the candlestick on the credence table. At the altar, he must stand near the missal.

He must always accompany the book-bearer, but he is exempt from genuflections. He stands to the left of the book-bearer. He holds the candlestick at the height of the book it illuminates, either with the right hand or with both hands while resting it on the left arm.

For a long time, this instrument has no longer been used in the liturgy.

But a few examples still lie dormant in sacristies. It is important to identify them and preserve them as precious objects.