Pink Faux-Bamboo Ceramic Pagoda Candle Holder
Decorative art, ceramic vessel with removable lid • Produced for Essex Galleries; Manufactured in Portugal (likely a workshop in Caldas da Rainha known for cabbage and bamboo motifs)
Style & Movement
Chinoiserie Revival / Hollywood Regency; characterized by a blend of European ceramic traditions and faux-Oriental motifs
Medium & Technique
Glazed earthenware or majolica-style pottery; slip-cast construction with hand-applied colorful lead or tin glazes
Creation Period
Late 20th century (circa 1980-1995)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 10 to 12 inches in height; vertical hexagonal format
Subject Description
A hexagonal architectural form modeled after a Chinese pagoda. It features faux-bamboo lattice-work rendered in pink, with contrasting green panels. The piece includes circular vent holes on the roof section to allow heat or smoke to escape, suggesting use as a candle or incense burner.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the glaze appears vibrant with no visible structural cracks or major losses
Estimated Market Value
$125 - $225 USD
Auction Estimate
$80 - $150 USD
Provenance History
Retails through 'The Essex Galleries'; mass-import historical market from Portugal to the US during the high demand for decorative colorful ceramics in the 1980s
Art Historical Significance
Represents the 20th-century commercial adaptation of the 18th-century Chinoiserie style. While a mass-produced item, it reflects the high-quality reputation of Portuguese ceramic exports during this period.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'Essex Galleries' and 'Made in Portugal' stickers or stamps; vivid 'Palm Beach' color palette (pink and green) and relief-molded bamboo texture
Condition Issues
Minor surface crazing typical of Portuguese earthenware; small glaze flea-bites may be present along the sharp edges of the bamboo joints
Conservation Recommendations
Hand wash only; avoid abrasive cleaners to preserve the glaze surface; keep in a temperature-stable environment to prevent further crazing
Collector Notes
The Essex Galleries Made in Portugal