Silver-gilt, London hallmarks for 1816-17, mark of Paul Storr

Four-light, silver-gilt candelabra (one of a pair) with a triangular plinth with incurved sides and canted angles supported by three shell-and-foliage bracket feet with shells between; a band of rosettes is applied to the lower border and foliage sprays to the angles. The baluster stem is composed of acanthus calyxes and fluted, wreathed, elements and has a vase shaped acanthus socket. The central light and three reeded and foliate scroll branches each have a band of acanthus on the socket and a foliate border on the detachable nozzle. A coat of arms is applied three times to each plinth, and the nozzles are engraved with a crest and a coronet.

The plinths are each formed from several raised sheets soldered together; the cast ornament is applied with solder. The coats of arms and foliage sprays at the angles are cast and attached by screws. The plinth is inturn attached to the calyx at the base of the stem by three screws. The stem is apparently cast in twelve sections that are soldered together. The branches are cast and soldered to a central plate that fits into the socket at the top of the stem. The sockets surmounting the branches are cast and screwed into the branches; they have detachable wax pans and nozzles.. The socket for the central light, also with a detachable nozzle, fits into a foliage calyx, which is cast in halves and fits into the central plate, where it is secured by two locating pins. A long threaded shaft passes from the baseof the socket thrugh the foliage calyx beneath it and screws into the main stem.

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Collection on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Provenance: Thomas Foley, third baron of Foley of Kidderminster. By descent to the Foley-Grey collection, sale, Christie's., June 18, 1924, lot 64 (set of four). Purchased from S.J. Shrubsole Corporation, New York., 1973.

Unlike candlesticks, the weight and large size of these candelabra suggest they were designed to be placed upon the dining table, rather than easily transported around. While some elements of the candelabra’s Neoclassical ornament can be found in other designs by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, the triangular base was deliberately left undecorated to include the owner’s monogram or family heraldry: The arms of the Foley family indicate this was made for Sir Thomas Foley (1780-1833). Another pair is known to have been made for Sir Richard Sutton, Baronet bearing Philip Rundell's mark and London hallmarks for 1820-21.

Paul Storr was the most celebrated silversmith of the 19th century. Storr was an astute businessman whose workshop produced high quality silver in inventive and fashionable designs. Storr was superintendent of the silversmithing firm Rundell, Bridge & Rundell from 1807 to 1818-9, supplying silver to the Prince Regent and members of British and European aristocracy.

Sir Arthur Gilbert and his wife Rosalinde formed one of the world's great decorative art collections, including silver, mosaics, enamelled portrait miniatures and gold boxes. Arthur Gilbert donated his extraordinary collection to Britain in 1996.

LOAN:GILBERT.827:1-2008