Artwork

Large Pendant, Lower Left and Right Two Griffins Carrying Fantasy Candlesticks

Large Pendant, Lower Left and Right Two Griffins Carrying Fantasy Candlesticks is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Daniel Mignot. It dates from 1596 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Daniel Mignot’s 1596 engraving, titled Large Pendant, Lower Left and Right Two Griffins Carrying Fantasy Candlesticks, presents a decorative ceiling scene. The composition centers on an elaborate chandelier, flanked by two mythic griffins that each support a slender candlestick, creating a balanced, symmetrical arrangement.

Subject & Meaning

The central motif combines a stylized lighting fixture with griffins—creatures that merge the head and wings of an eagle with the body of a lion. Their fierce posture and the inclusion of fanciful candlesticks suggest an allegorical link between illumination and the protective power traditionally associated with griffins in medieval symbolism.

Technique & Style

Executed as an engraving, the work relies on precise incised lines and cross‑hatching to render texture and depth. Sharp contours define the feathers, claws, and the intricate metalwork of the chandelier, while subtle shading conveys the play of light across the imagined scene.

History & Provenance

Created in the late sixteenth century, the print reflects the period’s fascination with ornamental designs for interior decoration. Although specific ownership records are scarce, the piece is attributed to Mignot, a French engraver known for his detailed architectural and decorative studies.

Context

The engraving belongs to a broader tradition of ornamental prints that circulated among craftsmen and patrons seeking inspiration for decorative arts. Griffins were a popular motif in Renaissance ornamentation, often employed to convey both elegance and a sense of mythic guardianship.

Legacy

Mignot’s work contributes to the visual vocabulary of decorative engraving, influencing later designers who adapted similar fantastical elements for furniture, textiles, and architectural embellishments throughout the Baroque era.