Four roses in dark iron — two fully open in a loose spiral of overlapping petals, one caught mid-bloom, one still a tight bud. They branch from a single stem that divides into three legs at the base, each rod splaying outward to form a tripod that sits steady without needing to be fussed with. The stems are bound together at the point of division with wrapped wire — functional, neat, and the most honest detail on the piece. At the top: a flat circular candle plate with a center spike for a pillar candle. Cut metal leaves are placed at intervals along the stems. The finish is dark throughout — a deep oxidized iron that reads nearly black in low light and reveals its warmer metal tones in direct sun.
This is hand-fabricated metalwork, each rose built petal by petal from cut and shaped sheet metal, each stem bent individually and assembled into the whole. The construction is consistent with folk craft metalwork produced for the American gift and home decor market in the 1980s and 1990s — a period when hand-made iron and steel rose pieces from Mexico and the Philippines were a staple of import stores and craft fairs. No maker's mark is present.
Condition: Good. Natural aging and surface oxidation throughout — the dark patina is integral to the piece. All four roses intact with no missing petals. Wire binding secure. Candle spike and plate intact. One stem has a slight bend at the base consistent with age and handling; the piece stands level.
Hunter's Notes
Found on Valentine's Day. Four iron roses — it was impossible to leave behind.
The Archive Record — JLM-250024
| Maker |
Unknown — possibly Mexican or Filipino folk metalwork; no maker's mark |
| Established |
Unknown |
| Object |
Hand-fabricated iron rose pillar candleholder with tripod base |
| Material |
Wrought and sheet iron; wire-wrapped stem joins; dark oxidized finish |
| Construction |
Hand-fabricated; petal-by-petal rose construction from cut and shaped sheet metal; wire-wrapped tripod stem; pillar candle spike plate at top |
| Era |
Circa 1980s–1990s | confidence: attributed |
| Country of Origin |
Mexico or Philippines — attributed |
| Condition Tier |
Good |
| Condition |
Natural aging and surface oxidation throughout — dark patina integral. All four roses intact, no missing petals. Wire binding secure. Candle spike and plate intact. One stem has slight bend at base; piece stands level. |
| Hunt Provenance |
Salvation Army, Shelby Township, Michigan — February 14, 2025 |
| Authentication |
Style attribution — hand-fabricated iron rose folk metalwork consistent with Mexican or Filipino import craft production, 1980s–1990s. No maker's mark. |
| Comparable Sold |
$18–$42 (eBay / Etsy — May 2026) |
| JLM Price |
$18 |
| Food Safe |
not applicable |
| Lead Risk |
no |
| Child Safe |
unknown — candle spike present |
| Gift Idea |
Valentine's Day, Romantic Decor, Candlelight Dinner |
Product Specs
| Dimensions |
6″ D × 6″ W × 11″ H |
| Weight |
0.5 lb |
