A rare pair of Louis XV early 18th century French provincial silver candlesticks, Saintes 1725-27 by Benjamin Avrard (master 1711, still living 1742)

The bases of octagonal moulded form with dished wells, the central columns with facetted knops below a faceted inverted baluster section leading to canted square section capitals. Each marked underneath with charge mark of J. Ytasse and J. Leduc (jurisdiction of La Rochelle) with date letter M (reg. 16^th Feb 1725), crowned X (poinçon de la marque) and makers marks. (2)

Height – 20.7 cm / 8.45 inches

Weight – 932 grams / 29.96 ozt