Rare candlestick sold for £65,000

A RARE candlestick designed by the wife of Charles Rennie Mackintosh fetched £65,000 at auction yesterday.

The copper antique, which dates to about 1897, was sold at Lyon & Turnbull's decorative arts sale in Edinburgh.

It was created by Margaret Macdonald, who later married the internationally renowned designer and architect, and her sister Frances Macdonald.

The candlestick was made in their studio at 128 Hope Street, Glasgow, where they collaborated after their studies at the Glasgow School of Art in 1894.

The sisters were celebrated in their time, with Mackintosh reported to have said of his wife: "Margaret has genius, I have only talent." The candlestick belonged to the late Linda Rose Gallagher, a collector of Glasgow metalware, who was given the piece in the 1970s.

A family spokesman said: "This is a great result and we hope that whoever has bought it will treasure it as much as we have over the years."

John Mackie, of Lyon & Turnbull, said: "This candlestick embodies the many stylistic innovations that were achieved during a profoundly creative and progressive period of decorative arts and design.

"The candlestick offers a rare insight into what was a largely undocumented but undeniably influential collaboration between Margaret and Frances Macdonald."