George Shiebler (attr) Aesthetic Movement Antique Sterling Silver and 14k Gold Candlesticks, NYC, c. 1880s

Gold lilies float among rippling water on the stems of these exceptional and eye-catching candlesticks. The bulbous lower bodies, also decorated with rippling water and marsh grass, emerge from overlapping gold water lily leaves. Larger gold leaves cascade downwards to form the organic bases. The leaves are wonderfully exhibiting beautiful naturalistic details of texture and veins within the leaves. The socles are formed as overlapping gold leaves with waterlilies emerging from the centers. So exceptional is the execution that the gold applied waterlilies on the stems incorporate two different shades of gold.

These extremely rare candlesticks are marked 'STERLING & 14k/ 280X'. They do not have the Shiebler mark, but Shiebler undoubtedly made them - one has had his mark removed underneath. For an associated item with nearly identical marks, see here.  They measure just under 8 inches high, weigh a combined 15.60 troy ounces and are in excellent antique condition.