Persian Candlesticks

[teknoprep]

I have a set of Persian candlesticks that are over 100 years old and have been passed on to me from Iran.  The candlestick is made of bronze and the bird made of gold.





     
     

Does anyone know of the history and/or current value of these candlesticks?  Also, do you know what kind of bird is at the top of the sticks?

Thanks!

[hosman321]

The bird could be a sulphur crested cockatoo or a lesser sulphur crested cockatoo. It's smaller size makes me think it's a lesser. It has some kind of double tail goin' on though, I'll keep searchin'.

[hosman321]

The double tail might be an exaggeration. I am pretty familiar with birds and have a lot of them. I've never seen a crested hookbill with a tail like that. But I could be wrong! I'm going with the Lesser. Great candlesticks, I would love to have something that beautiful! Hopefully someone else can give you more info.

[teknoprep]

The double tail might be an exaggeration. I am pretty familiar with birds and have a lot of them. I've never seen a crested hookbill with a tail like that. But I could be wrong! I'm going with the Lesser. Great candlesticks, I would love to have something that beautiful! Hopefully someone else can give you more info.

Thank you for the great information hosman321!!!

[teknoprep]

Wikipedia says this cockatoo is found in Indonesia so do you think the candlesticks are made in Indonesia or are they Persian?

They were passed down from relatives in Iran, but I'm not sure of their history.

[hosman321]

Do you see any markings anywhere? Even tiny little markings? Sometimes maker's marks can be hard to find but something that pretty seems like it would have one. Then again, maybe not.

[KC]

Agree with the information above.

Would believe that if the bird was made of a rare metal that there would be markings.  Otherwise, it may be a very good look-alike or plating.

Does the bird and candlestick come apart?

[teknoprep]

Do you see any markings anywhere? Even tiny little markings? Sometimes maker's marks can be hard to find but something that pretty seems like it would have one. Then again, maybe not.

There aren't any markings on the candlestick.  I think the bird is a mythological bird in Persian mythology.

Agree with the information above.

Would believe that if the bird was made of a rare metal that there would be markings.  Otherwise, it may be a very good look-alike or plating.

Does the bird and candlestick come apart?

The bird and candlestick come apart. They are screwed together. The bird is made of gold the candlestick made of bronze and it has a patine on it from age.

[fancypants]

Welcome to the forum , teknoprep .

Interesting & ornate item .

Since you've mentioned that your item can be disassembled ; I'd say the first thing to do , when asscessing the value of your candleholder , would be to take the bird off of the assembly & then take it to a gold specialist/jeweler to have it weighed and purity of gold tested .... it's quick , it's easy & not too super-expensive .

If you do so , it will establish a minimum current value for the gold it contains .

Wish I could tell you all about your item , but I can't .

I think yours is one that is best valued in-person , but maybe someone here has seen one that is exacty the same !