RARE EARLY
TABLETOP LIGHTING STAND
IN BLUE PAINT 
Probably New England, possibly Mid-Atlantic, ca. late 18th/early 19th c. 

Blue paint on maple and pine.

Rarity enhanced by the unusual twin-candlearms holding 4 tinned-sheet iron candle cups, the cups pressure-fitted within receiving holes in the arms. The thread-turned column supported by a stepped base, the column joined to the base by a wedged square tenon. The candlearms visually lightened by tapering from the column to the edge.

Made to raise and lower candle height from a table or chest, the height to the top of the column just 18 1/4 inches, the base about 8 inches square. Having 4 candle cups in this period was quite the extravagance given that every candle had to be hand made, and therefore scarce and expensive. Terrific structural condition, period wear to paint as expected.

Early American painted lighting devices of this caliber are seldom found, let alone in blue paint.