Antique Italian Gilt Wrought Iron Two-Light Wall Sconce with Acanthus Scrollwork, Mid-20th Century
A large and striking Italian two-light wall sconce in gilt wrought iron, formed as an elaborate composition of acanthus leaves and Baroque scrollwork. Mid-20th century. Ready to wire.
- Description
- Size Guide
Description
There is a particular tradition of Italian decorative metalwork — most closely associated with Florentine and Tuscan workshops of the mid-20th century — that produced wall sconces, mirrors, and furniture of extraordinary exuberance in gilt wrought and beaten iron. This sconce is a fine representative of that tradition. Large, complex, and immediately commanding on a wall, it is the kind of object that transforms a room rather than merely occupying it.
The backplate is formed as a symmetrical composition of acanthus leaves, C-scrolls, and curling foliate tendrils, built up from individually forged and shaped iron elements welded or riveted together into a single cohesive design. The central motif — a dense upward spray of acanthus — rises to a pointed finial at the top and descends to a scrolled pendant at the base, giving the piece a strong vertical axis that is balanced by the sweeping horizontal reach of the two candle arms. Each arm curves outward and upward from the central body in a naturalistic arc, terminating in a flower-form drip pan and candle cup that holds a standard E14 candle bulb fitting.
The gilding is applied over the entire surface — a warm, slightly distressed gold that shows natural wear at the higher relief points, exactly as one would expect from a piece of genuine age. This patchy quality is not a flaw but a virtue: it is precisely what distinguishes hand-gilded ironwork from modern reproduction, and it catches light in a way that uniform gilding cannot. Against a coloured wall — as demonstrated in the photograph, where it hangs against a deep red — the effect is exceptional.
The sconce is currently fitted with LED filament candle bulbs, confirming that it has been wired and is in working electrical order. Buyers should have the wiring checked by a qualified electrician before installation, as is standard practice with any vintage electrical fitting. The single wall mounting point is visible at the centre of the backplate.
At nearly 50 cm tall and over 37 cm wide, this is a genuinely large sconce — scaled for a generous wall in an entrance hall, staircase, sitting room, or dining room. It would work equally well as a decorative object even without electrical connection, as the metalwork is strong enough to stand on its own terms.
Dimensions: 48.5 × 37.2 × 14 cm (H × W × D, including bulbs)
Materials: Wrought iron with gilt finish
Fitting: E14 candle bulb (×2)
Condition: Good antique condition. Gilding shows natural age-related wear. Wired and tested.
Origin: Italy, mid-20th century
Style: Baroque / Florentine Revival
| size | chest(in.) | waist(in.) | hips(in.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 34-36 | 27-29 | 34.5-36.5 |
| S | 36-38 | 29-31 | 36.5-38.5 |
| M | 38-40 | 31-33 | 38.5-40.5 |
| L | 40-42 | 33-36 | 40.5-43.5 |
| XL | 42-45 | 36-40 | 43.5-47.5 |
| XXL | 45-48 | 40-44 | 47.5-51.5 |
