Explore the decoration on the Gloucester Candlestick, Museum no. 7649-1861

The Gloucester Candlestick is decorated with a menagerie of real and fantastic creatures. Winged dragons support the drip pan, apes clamber along the stem and hybrid animals bite, grab and pull for position among foliage and flowers along the base.

  • Three winged dragons underneath the candlestick’s drip pan



    The Latin inscription reads, ‘Burden of light, work of virtue, brilliantly shining teaching preaches so that Man may not be darkened by sin.’

  • A hybrid creature supporting the underside of the drip pan



    Hidden in the shadows beneath the drip pan, this hybrid creature is half-formed, with only one eye.

  • An ape-like creature with large ears



    The ape-like creature silences a dragon by plunging a sword down its throat.

  • A human figure silencing a winged creature



    The human figure silences the winged creature to his left, clamping its jaws with his hand, while the claws of the creature grasp at his ankle.

  • Detail of the candlestick’s foot



    Detail of the candlestick’s foot, where a dragon bites down upon a wriggling snake.

  • A winged dragon whispering in the ear of a half-man half-bird



    A winged dragon reaches to whisper in the ear of a half-man half-bird, who tilts his ear to listen.