This magnificent French Church candlestick from the 1700’s has motifs with parcel silver on the front.  The back was left without motifs and leafing, as was the tradition for certain Church candlesticks .  The back of the shaped stem has very old gold paint but no ornamental motifs.  The story goes, that since the congregation did not see the back of the candlesticks, there was no need to go to the added expense.   This single Church candlestick has motifs of stiff leaf acanthus, gadrooned lobes, fluting, and stylized linear acanthus leaves, all on a tripod base of shaped s-scroll acanthus leaves over volute feet .  There is shaped metal candle cup holder at the top.