Altar candlestick with busts in relief of Saints Peter and Paul (one of a pair) 1525 - 1575

Crafted by Vincenzo Grandi in the 16th century, this bronze altar candlestick embodies the Renaissance aesthetic. The dark, polished bronze exudes a solemn elegance, its intricate details emerging from the shadows. Note the candlestick's structure, rising from a square base adorned with lion's paws and figures, ascending to a spherical body featuring relief busts of Saints Peter and Paul. Above this, a series of layered, ornate forms culminates in a sharp spire. Grandi’s composition invites a structuralist reading. The base, heavy and grounded, signifies the earthly realm, while the spire, reaching upwards, symbolizes spiritual aspiration. The deliberate contrasts in texture—the smooth, reflective surfaces against the deeply carved reliefs—create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. This duality is not merely decorative. It encapsulates the Renaissance fascination with reconciling classical forms with Christian themes. The candlestick functions as a symbolic conduit, bridging the material and the divine.