Minghetti - Candlestick - Renaissance Style - Maiolica

A rare capstan candlestick with a large, gadrooned socket candleholder, wide drip-catcher and bell-base. The candlestick is made of white maiolica and decorated with a crest in polychrome enamels with a lion rampant, two trees and 6 french fleur-de-lis. The fleur-de-lis indicate that the owner of this candlestick had connections to the french royal family. Underneath a scratched maker's mark "AMF" (Minghetti ?) . Renaissance style. 19th century. Note: the socket candleholder has been broken off and repaired a long time ago (see the discoloration around the edge)