Early Painted
Tabletop Lighting Stand
with Rare Octagonal Base 

New England, ca. 18th century.

Skillfully turned from what appears to be chestnut, retaining the original very dry brown paint, the color presenting as reddish-brown in sunlight.

The design features a rare form-slightly domed-octagonal base-the facets with “lambs tongue” crests. The base supports a baluster-turned lower section leading to hand-cut threads to allow raising and lowering the candle arm. The two-light candle arm echoes the baluster-turning on the column. Interesting to note that the figure (rings) of the wood are remarkably tight together due to the wood being from an old-growth tree having grown very slowly.

At just 21 inches tall, this lighting stand was not for the floor, rather would have been carried from room to room and placed on a table or chest. Terrific condition. Provenance includes Sam Forsythe and a private Midwest collection.