Chinese Ceramic Candlestand

A brown-black candlestick with a tiny vase for a head and a wide dish foot.

This glazed pottery candlestand is from Hebei Province, China, and dates to the 20th century. Candlestands hold a candle upright on a spike or in a cup, and they were made in many materials, including pottery, brass, iron and wood. A small bottle-shaped top with a flared lip sits on a tall stem wrapped in fine horizontal throwing rings. The stem joins a flat round base with a pale, unglazed edge. The glaze is dark brown, patchy and glossy, with small chips. It is 12.75 inches high and 5.5 in diameter.

Stands up straight, as a candlestick should.