Art Nouveau Silver Candle Holders from J.M. Van Kempen, Netherlands, 1900s, Set of 2

Two elegant silver candle holders on a square plan, base plate surrounded by a bead stick, base raised in a groove and forming a small square pedestal, grooved walls decorated with bow and ribbon reliefs, ending with a bead stick, round, smooth columns with palmette decoration in relief and bow festoons on it, four-sided diagonal capital with small volutes and leaf garlands, matching, detachable insert spouts with pearl edges. Dimensions: height: 24.0 cm / 9.44 in sides: 10.5 x 10.5 cm / 4.13 x 4.13 in silver weight: 750 grams / 24.11 troy oz Hallmarks: – Lion in hexagon + 2 – Dutch official hallmark 1814-1953 for 833 silver – Reclining crescent over ‘VK’ in square – Master’s sign J.M. van KEMPEN en ZONEN, Voorschoten, Netherlands – In 1835 Johannes Mattheus van Kempen III (1814-1877) started a silver factory in Utrecht, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Johannes Mattheus I (1764-1833) and his father, Johannes Mattheus II (1792-1831), both silversmiths in Utrecht. In 1851 it was the first silver factory to install a steam engine. When the factory expanded, it moved to a new building in Voorschoten in 1858. – Key over official hallmark – Dutch duty refund mark on export 1853-1953 – Crescent + Crown + 833 – German official hallmark from 1888 for 833 silver – C.BECKER – Jeweler, Sales, Germany Condition: very well maintained, silver cleaned and polished.