Unusual pair of 18th century Portuguese silver candlesticks. triple-section shaft with fluted motifs in opposing spirals, separated by smooth elements, candle cup with fluted edge, movable sconce with spiral fluting, ending in volutes. Square base with gadroon border, plain band with engraved coat of arms and palmettes at the corners.

Hallmark for the city of Oporto in use from 1768 until 1810, silversmith mark in use from 1742 until 1786.

Coat of arms of the Brandão de Melo family, owners of the “Morgado e Casa da Torre da Marca”, in Oporto,

Notes: vd. ALMEIDA, Fernando Moitinho de; CARLOS, Rita - "Inventário de Marcas de Pratas Portuguesas e Brasileiras - Século XV a 1887". Lisboa: IN-CM, 2018, P-15 e P-321b; SOUSA, Gonçalo de Vasconcelos e - “Dicionário de ourives e lavrantes da prata do Oporto, 1750-1825”, Civilização Editora, 2005, pp. 457 a 466.