French silver Baluster shaped shafts on octagonal grooved and moulded stand of engraved heraldic shield with crowned two-tailed mermaid on water surmounted by helmet and marquess coronet corresponding to the VISHER family from Basel Convertible into candlesticks Paris, late 19th century / early 20th century marked E. ROGER and "Minerve 1er titre" Dimensions 34,2 x 13,3 cm Medium 2700 g Notes Candelabra that convert into candlesticks are rare, especially those made in solid silver. We can refer a Portuguese and a Joseph AUGUSTE model, both dating to the 18th century, now at the METROPOLITAN in New York [1], as well as a Louis XV style example at Le Mobilier National collection in Paris [2]. Seven pairs of similar, but non-convertible candelabra are also kept at the Metropolitan Museum in New York and two at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. For a very similar pair of 18th century convertible candelabra see : Aguttes Auction House, Thursday 22 March 2012, lot 264 : "Paire de flambeaux en argent de forme octogonale", Paris 1714 et 1722, est. 20 000 – 30 000 €. [1] METROPOLITAN MUSEUM, NEW YORK, "Candlestick with candelabrum attachment", sterling silver, Lisbon, 18th century. METROPOLITAN MUSEUM, NEW YORK, AUGUSTE, Robert Joseph, "Candelabrum (one of a pair)", argent massif, Paris, 1767-68. [2] MOBILIER NATIONAL, PARIS, "Candélabre", silver, Paris, 1856-1889. THE REPRESENTATION OF THE CROWNED MERMAID WITH TWO TAILS Many European tales refer to mermaids living not only in the sea, but also in rivers and streams. They can take different names but their description generally conforms to traditional imagery: half-woman and half-fish. They are generally represented with a whole or split fish tail The siren can have several symbolic interpretations but always related to water. With two tails, it is a symbol of fertility because water is the source of life. With the tails raised it relates to gestation and birth. A belly is moreover often drawn, as on the heraldic shield on the candlesticks presented here. It is also a symbol of the duality of human life, shared between organic and spiritual life. Crowned, this divinity is a sign of prosperity and stability.