明早期 掐絲琺瑯纏枝蓮紋燭臺|Candlestick with lotus scrolls

Art Historical Context

This delicate cloisonné enamel candlestick, crafted in early Ming dynasty China (late 14th–early 15th century exemplifies the era's burgeoning mastery of luxury metalwork. Adorned with intricate twining lotus scrolls—graceful branches of blooming lotuses that wrap around its surface—the piece stands just over 4 inches tall, with a flared rim and sturdy base ideal for holding a candle. The vibrant enamels, likely in shades of blue, turquoise, and white, create a luminous effect against the metal framework, transforming a functional object into a work of art. Cloisonné enamel, a technique where...