Portable candlestick chamberstick

Portable candlestick chamberstick A small candlestick, so-called “chamberstick”, made of silver-plated brass, from the Potocki, collection comes from the 19th/20th century. The candlestick consists of a round, slightly recessed base, which is decorated with a pearl ornament on the rim, as well as with an attached round eye, shaped like a finger ring. The ring ends in a recessed circular thumb plate. The base is engraved with a five-branched crown of nobility and the inscription “Łańcut”. The profiled shaft of the candlestick passes into the sleeve for the candle. The cylindrical, profiled sleeve has a loose bobèche mounted on it, decorated with a pearl ornament. The candlestick shows clumsy attempts at electrification (visible cable). The candlestick bears the marks of the Christofle company. Christofle was founded as a jewellery and goldsmithing company by Charles Christofle in 1830. In 1842, it introduced silver and gold plating by electrolysis, i.e. the coating of metal products with a thin layer of gold or silver. Since then, the company focused on the production of silver and plated tableware. The company has revived old goldsmithing and enamelling techniques. In 1900, a new way of plating called “Galia Metal” was introduced; thanks to this method the products were heavier and more durable during use. The Christofle company has ties with Poland, it collaborated with the well-known Warsaw company Fraget, and in 1860, a permanent “Christofle” commercial office was opened in Warsaw. To this day, the company’s products enjoy unflagging popularity and adorn many museum collections. At present, the candlestick is exhibited in one of the rooms on the second floor of the castle.