Detail showing copper tubing

When dismantling the candlestick, the copper tubing originally securing the three sections of the Gloucester Candlestick together was revealed.

Detail showing copper tubing

When dismantling the candlestick, the copper tubing originally securing the three sections of the Gloucester Candlestick together is revealed.

The finished sample casting

Detail of a casting flaw

The alloy of the candlestick, which has a large proportion of silver in it, may have aided the flow of the metal through the complex mould. This alloy is highly unusual in medieval metalwork, and to date, no comparative alloy from this period has been found. During finishing the decoration and detail was further defined by carving and chiselling, although the addition of silver created an almost flawless casting with little required afterwork.

A wax model made from the Gloucester Candlestick in preparation for a sample casting

The wax models were then covered in a material that was resistant to heat, such as clay (known as the investment). This material surrounded the wax protecting its shape. Once the investment had hardened, the wax was melted out and the metal was then poured into the mould, taking the shape of the original wax model. In the case of the Gloucester candlestick where the wax was carved in openwork there was no need for core pins to secure the two investment materials together. There would be no chance for the core to shift as it would make direct contact with the outer mould in places were there is open work. Generally the core was removed after the casting, but can still be found in some pieces. There is no evidence of any investment material on the candlestick.

Copper tubing

When dismantling the candlestick, the copper tubing originally securing the three sections of the Gloucester Candlestick together is revealed.

The sample casting removed from its mould

After the metal had cooled, the craftsman removed the investment, runners and risers and set about finishing the cast sections and repairing any flaws. In this instance, there is no evidence of the runners left upon the finished candlestick. It is also astonishing that despite the complex nature of the candlestick’s decoration the casting, there is only a small section of flashing (where the metal flows through gaps in the investment) on the inside of the stem, and only minor flaws where the metal didn’t run completely within the mould.

Detail of the recesses on the stem

The candlestick was originally joined together by prongs on the base slotted into recesses in the stem, locking the sections together.

06 Detail of the fixing prongs (now broken)

The candlestick was originally joined together by prongs on the base slotted into recesses in the stem, locking the sections together. Discreet marks aided the assembly of the object.

Detail of the assembly marks

The candlestick was originally joined by prongs on the base slotted into recesses in the stem, locking the sections together. Discreet marks aided the assembly of the object. This detail shows the marks on the stem and the base.