Pair of Engraved Brass Peacock Candle Holders

Two 19th-century peacocks formed in engraved brass

This pair of antique Indian candlesticks transforms the peacock’s distinctive silhouette into functional sculpture. Each bird rises from a compact pedestal base, its rounded body and engraved plumage supporting a candle cup above the head.

Time has deepened the brass to variegated shades of bronze, brown, and muted gold. Differences in oxidation, rubbed surfaces, and tonal depth distinguish the two candlesticks while preserving their visual relationship as a pair.

A Figural Tradition from India

19th-Century Origin: Dating to the 1800s, the candlesticks reflect an established Indian tradition of creating useful household objects in expressive animal forms.
Peacock Motif: A longstanding subject in Indian decorative arts, the peacock gives each candlestick an unmistakable profile and richly patterned surface.
Found in India: The pair was sourced in India and retains the wear, patina, and small irregularities acquired through age and use.
Functional Sculpture: The birds serve simultaneously as candleholders and small examples of antique Indian metalwork.

Engraved Plumage & Aged Brass

Feathered Bodies: Engraved lines and raised detailing articulate the wings, tails, and rounded bodies of the peacocks.
Decorated Bases: Patterned pedestal bases provide a stable foundation while extending the ornament beyond the figures themselves.
Taper Candle Cups: Elevated cups are designed to hold slender taper candles above the sculpted birds.
Individual Patina: Each candlestick carries its own balance of dark oxidation, softened brass, rubbed edges, and surface variation.

Displaying the Pair

Mantel Arrangement: Place one at either end of a mantel to frame artwork, a mirror, or a central object.
Dinner Table: Use the pair with slender tapers to introduce antique brass and figural detail to an intimate table setting.
Console Styling: Position them together among books, carved wood, or collected textiles for a layered arrangement.
Cabinet Display: Their modest scale allows the engraved forms to be appreciated closely within a vitrine or collector’s cabinet.

Product Details

Includes: Two candlesticks
Era: 19th century
Origin: India
Material: Brass
Design: Figural peacock candlesticks with engraved detailing
Dimensions: Approximately 4 in wide x 4 in deep x 7.5 in high each
Candle Style: Designed for taper candles
Color: Aged brass with brown, bronze, and muted gold variation
Quantity: One antique pair

Condition & Care

Antique Condition: Wear is consistent with age and use. Oxidation, scratches, rubbed areas, blemishes, and differences in patina are present and form part of the pair’s history.
Cleaning: Dust with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners and metal polish unless a brighter finish is specifically desired, as polishing will alter the existing patina.
Candle Safety: Place on a stable, heat-resistant surface and never leave burning candles unattended.

Ideal For

• Collectors of antique Indian brass and figural metalwork
• Framing a painting, mirror, or sculptural object on a mantel
• Bringing symmetrical candlelight to an intimate dining table
• Layering with carved wood, miniature paintings, and richly patterned textiles
• Gifting to someone drawn to peacock imagery or antique animal forms

Equal parts candlelight and sculpture, this 19th-century pair preserves the expressive detail and beautifully aged surface of Indian brasswork.