A matched pair of modern figural candlesticks
£9,450
Silver, Coins & Objets de Vertu
Auction: 13 September 2022 from 11:00 BST
Description
Patrick Mavros, Harare, with London date letter for 1999 and 2000 with commemorative millennium mark to one, each modelled naturalistically as a root tree with two Klipspringers to the base (loaded)
Dimensions
Height: 24cm
Footnote
Note: Inspired by the landscape of Africa, the Mavros family in two generations have taken their local craftsmanship to an international brand.
The company originally grew organically due to the admiration of a pair of earrings Patrick made for his wife in 1990. Now alongside the couple’s four sons, Alexander, Forbes, Patrick Jnr and Benjamin, the brand Patrick Mavros is synonymous with creating art inspired by the wildlife of the African plains.
Instantly recognisable, Mavros captures the charm of animals found on their doorstep in Zimbabwe such as elephants and impalas. Casting in silver, using the 'lost wax' process, Patrick Mavros creates sculptures, jewellery, and homewares. Their home at Mpata Farm has always mirrored that of their collections, in 1987 ZoZo the orphaned elephant calf was adopted on the farm and Patrick thus created his first elephant sculpture.
ZoZo was to further influence Patrick and in 1992 ‘The Classic Elephant Candelabra Pair’ was created. This galvanised the collection of table centrepieces and in particular a series of candelabra. The candelabra we are offering in our 13th September auction feature the klipspringer, a small antelope found in eastern and southern Africa. Mating for life, the pair never stray more than 5 metres from one another. By featuring the Klipsringer, not only does Mavros create a delightful centrepiece, but raises the profile of African wildlife.
Conservation is a key component of their ethos and their motto ‘A family of Creativity, a Legacy of Conservation’ encapsulates this. Much work has been done to highlight the plight of the pangolin for example with their 2016 collaboration with photographer Adrian Stern.
From gem set jewellery to swizzle sticks to impressively large centrepieces, the Mavros family use their collections to evoke the African way of life.