| INDEX | ALL SILVER |
| DESCRIPTION | Highest quality pair of cast solid sterling silver tea-candlesticks with original crest engraving to the stem bases. These are faithful reproductions of 1740s examples with
shell cornered incurved square bases and were constructed in the same manner with the stems cast in halves and the bases separately. Tea-candlesticks are a variation of the taperstick that was specifically used
at the tea table, especially in the evenings. Tea drinking was an important ceremony in Georgian England and could take place thrice each day. The purpose of these sticks was for the sweet aroma given off by
the burning of fine English beeswax rather than for lighting. You would have the usual large candlesticks for lighting. The hallmarks are struck within the bases, just as the originals, so are beautifully
preserved and there is also the optional hallmark celebrating the jubilee of King George V.
Update to description. Internal dia. of sockets 0.5" but silver is cast so uneven. Could be a bit narrower towards base of socket. Sockets are quite deep to hold taperstick in place. A hang over from the earlier tobacco candlesticks that were passed around to light your pipes. Interesting side note on tobacco candlesticks. As they were not intended to give light and were required to burn slowly and safely spermaceti wax was used. This wax contained arsenic so was not used for lighting. It was made from a white, brittle, fatty substance found in solution in heads of sperm whale. A quick search for taperstick candles almost explodes the internet. So much choice and even nice quality pure beeswax is readily available. LEDs too. Sconces? We are on the timeline for no sconce/sconce. Stylistically these are very similar to Heavy and robust pair of Georgian cast silver candlesticks William Shaw II & William Priest London 1760 sold £2650 www.silfren.com sold eight years ago that did have sconces. However, sconces were introduced after it was found that messy lighting wax was a bugger to clean off the new (1740s) more decorative candlesticks. The early ones would not have had sconces. Are these copies of the first of type 1740s or 1760s similar? I am thinking 1740s. Also, the high quality beeswax did not drip and splutter and cause the mess of lesser quality general lighting wax so no need for sconces on these. Lastly, there is very little room inside the socket to accommodate a sconce and there are no wear patterns to indicate that they were ever fitted. Absolutely lastly, the socket is decorated with nice ring turning all the way to the top and then flares out slightly to guide your stick in. No real need for any of that if sconces were fitted. |
| SILVERSMITH | Garrard & Co. Ltd. |
| DATE or HALLMARK | 1934 |
| ASSAY OFFICE | London |
| WEIGHT in GRAMS | 336 |
| HEIGHT | 5", 126mm |
| SILVER STANDARD | ·925 sterling silver |
| CONDITION | excellent |
select any image to enlarge
| SOLD |
| Price £348 |
| item number m8576 |
| Available Silver Candlesticks |
| email questions to silfren@btinternet.com telephone 07563 011924 experts available 24 hours every day |