A PAIR OF RARE AND UNUSUAL LATE 19TH CENTURY BRASS 'COURTING' CANDLESTICKS, the candleholder held within a spiral stem with a handle to adjusted the candle height, with trifid bases / driptrays and ring handle, on three spiral wound legs, each 16cm high

Such so called 'Courting' candlesticks were used from the 17th century - 19th century to light a room were a potential suitor had come to court a daughter of a household. The suitor would be able to stay in the room with the daughter for the time it took for the candle to burn down to the top of the holder. If the head of the household had reservations about the suitor the candleholder can be adjusted to reduce the height of the candle, therefore limiting the potential suitor's courting time.