Candlestick
1751-1752 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Before the 1780s candles made of tallow (animal fat), beeswax and spermaceti (sperm whale oil) were the chief source of artificial light. Even in the 19th century, with competition from oil lamps, gas and electricity, candles and candlesticks remained essential items used throughout the home and moved from room to room as light was required
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Silver, soldered and chased |
| Brief description | Silver, London hallmarks for 1751-2, mark of John Cafe |
| Physical description | Candlestick, silver, (one of set of four), baluster stem on a shaped hexagonal base, decorated with shells and fluting. The shaped hexagonal nozzle (detachable) is decorated with six shells. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | Bequest - ? Acquisition RF: 66 / 3787 |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Before the 1780s candles made of tallow (animal fat), beeswax and spermaceti (sperm whale oil) were the chief source of artificial light. Even in the 19th century, with competition from oil lamps, gas and electricity, candles and candlesticks remained essential items used throughout the home and moved from room to room as light was required |
| Associated objects | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.358-1968 |
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| Record created | September 10, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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