Stavre Gregor Panis Set of Four Sterling Silver Nautical Candlesticks, c. 1950

This is an amazing set of candlesticks.  The petal-shaped bases are slightly domed with rising candle holders also in the forms of blossoming flowers. The pierced borders on the bases are spectacular - the very fine and intricate pierce-work incorporates many nautical subjects including lighthouses, sailboats, shells, starfish, seahorses, seagulls, tuna and whales amongst flowing seagrass.

A friend of Panis's wife, Gladys Hamilton, told us that she was responsible for many of the designs and likely of this pierced decoration.

Stavre Gregor Panis is listed in The Society of Arts & Crafts, Boston Exhibition Record 1897-1927 by Karen Evans Ulehla. He is listed as a 'Jeweler' and Craftsman member of the Society of Arts & Crafts, Boston from 1925-27 and exhibited in 1927 (p. 166). 

According to Affirmation and Rediscovery a Centennial Exhibition and Sale:

'Stavre Gregor Panis was born in Dadha, Alabama [actually Dardha, Albania] in Eastern Europe in 1889... He moved to the United States in 1905 and made his way to Boston. He was a jeweler, silversmith and enameler. Panis moved to Falmouth, Massachusetts and opened his own shop in 1932 with his wife and fellow art student Gladys Hamilton. He had studied at the Massachusetts School of Art after serving in the Army stationed in France during World War I' (p. 34).

These stunning candlesticks are stamped underneath 'SGP' within a triangle and 'STERLING.' They measure 4 inches round by 4 inches high, weigh a combined 14.30 troy ounces, have never been monogrammed and are in excellent antique condition.