Pair of 18th Century Georgian Silver Candlesticks John Parsons & Co Sheffield (Code 1646)

A pair of Georgian silver candlesticks with Sheffield hallmarks for the late 18th century.  They are in the Adams style, classically inspired with swagged decoration and a classical Greek form.  The columns are reeded and they have swept plinth bases and urn shaped sconces, the shoulders are stepped.  There are no separate drip pans in this case.  The bases are covered in a shagreen material which is certainly old but impossible to be sure if original. 

The hallmarks are somewhat rubbed, the clearest mark is for the maker, John Parsons & Co of Sheffield.  This silver smith operated from the late 18th century into the early years of the 19th century.  The Sheffield mark is quite clear and the kings head is also visible.  The date letter is somewhat ambiguous with the rubbing, it appears to be a form with the crown mount and the best fit apears to be 1783 although there are irregularities (not unknown for this period of course).  All catalogued examples of candlesticks for this factory I can find are prior to 1800 so 1783 is the most likely year.

 

There is rubbing through centuries of cleaning with the decoration significantly softened particularly around the bases to the raised swagging, the close up images give a good indication of this.  There are some minor indents.  There is a knock to one of the sconce rims. Hallmarks partially rubbed.  There are small rub through holes at the corners of the first step of the shoulders on each.



Approx Dimensions


Height: 29.5 cm ( 11 5/8 inch )

Width: 12 cm ( 4 3/4 inch ) across bases

Weight: 1582 grams (before packing)



Stock Code:  1646 MR19-1