An unusual pair of hand-blown clear and gold aventurine Venetian candlesticks with large-scale dolphin connectors made by Salviati, circa 1920's featuring dramatic full-bodied upward-facing dolphins; raised on a splayed quilted foot with removable quilted bobeche; excellent condition with no chips or cracks;

A native of Venice, Antonio Salviati (1816-1890) was a lawyer who became interested in glass work after participating in the restoration of the mosaics of Saint Mark's Cathedral. He opened his first glass business in 1859, and was commissioned by Queen Victoria to create the altar screen at Westminster Abbey as well as works at St. Paul's Cathedral, the Albert Memorial and the Palace of Westminster. In 1999, the firm was acquired by the French glassmaker that later became Arc International.