These famille rose candlesticks are exquisitely modeled with a handle of an arched Chinese sepia and gilt dragon climbing the modeled bamboo candle holder. A small, tubular holder designed for spills or tapers, also in the shape of bamboo, branches off from the candle holder. A small ochre tree rat with a detachable head climbs the main branch. Polychrome vines and other small tree rats decorate the lobed octagonal saucer, which is of traditional European form. The saucer is finely painted with pink rose sprigs in the European petit feu palette. One detachable head has been replaced.

References: Chinese Trade Porcelain by Michel Beurdeley, page 170 #94. for an almost identical stick.

For a similar but smaller pair of chambersticks see, Howard, David S. The Choice of the Private Trader: The Private Market in Chinese Export Porcelain illustrated from the Hodroff Collection. London: Zwemmer, 1994; no. 256, p. 219.

Circa 1770-1780.