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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Silver, Room 66, The Whiteley Galleries

Sconce

1703-1704 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Spectrographic analysis of this pair of sconces was carried out by the London Assay Office in May 1989 and they appear to be early 19th century. The proportions of copper to silver do not match the alloys of the early 18th century and the maker's mark appears to have been cast.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver, repoussé and engraved
Brief description
Silver, London hallmarks for 1703-4, mark of John Rand.
Physical description
Silver, one of a pair of sconces, the back of each is engraved with a shield of arms within a repoussé strapwork frame decorated with an imbricated pattern and is surmounted by a flaming vase supported by two amorini holding festoons, whilst below on either side is a bird's head with a festoon in its beak. The nozzles with flat circular rings are upheld by scrolls.
Dimensions
  • Height: 22cm
  • Width: 15cm
  • Depth: 16cm
  • Weight: 348.2g
Marks and inscriptions
  • London hallmarks for 1703-04
  • Mark of John Rand
  • Engraved with a shield of arms for Seabright (Information supplied (June 1903) from G.S. Seabright who said he had them engraved while previously in his possession.)
Credit line
Bequeathed by Joseph Bond
Historical context
At the request of Philippa Glanville, these sconces were spectrographically analysed at the London Assay Office in May, 1989, and appear to be early 19th century. They have a high copper content which is not typical of the period; the silver content ca.935 is not characteristic of sterling and the marks appear to have been cast.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Spectrographic analysis of this pair of sconces was carried out by the London Assay Office in May 1989 and they appear to be early 19th century. The proportions of copper to silver do not match the alloys of the early 18th century and the maker's mark appears to have been cast.
Associated object
816A-1890 (Pair)
Bibliographic reference
V&A Catalogue, 1920. No. 87, pl. 37 V&A Catalogue, 1965. No. 103 Watts. Old English Silver. pp. 75. pl. 62a Jackson pp.84
Collection
Accession number
816-1890

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Record createdSeptember 10, 2004
Record URL
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