Torchieres
This piece came in from a very 'southern' client who had childhood recollections of her family calling it "blacky" back in Vicksberg, Mississippi. It arrived in some few pieces, dusty, grimy, with carving, paint and gilt losses. Known as torchieres and used as candlestands , hundreds of these were made in Venice and elsewhere during the 18th. century. They were carved of linden wood, covered with gesso, water gilt and painted. The Venetiens, a declining power, demonized their mortal enemies the moors (moslims) in this very personal way.