Candlestick
second half 18th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Before the 1780s candles made of tallow, 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.
This candlestick is made of Sheffield plate, a fusion of copper and silver, discovered in 1742 by a Sheffield cutler, Thomas Boulsover (1704-1788). It imitates the appearance of solid silver, but at less than half the cost. It is made from die-stamped sections soldered together. The candlestick form was well suited to the technical innovation of die stamping. In this technique, where relief decoration was formed in thin sheets of metal, such as Sheffield plate or silver, the ornament could be assembled in a variety of combinations to provide a vast supply of models, differing from each other in only one or two details. The candlestick is decorated in an ornate, revived Rococo style.
This candlestick is made of Sheffield plate, a fusion of copper and silver, discovered in 1742 by a Sheffield cutler, Thomas Boulsover (1704-1788). It imitates the appearance of solid silver, but at less than half the cost. It is made from die-stamped sections soldered together. The candlestick form was well suited to the technical innovation of die stamping. In this technique, where relief decoration was formed in thin sheets of metal, such as Sheffield plate or silver, the ornament could be assembled in a variety of combinations to provide a vast supply of models, differing from each other in only one or two details. The candlestick is decorated in an ornate, revived Rococo style.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Sheffield plate |
| Brief description | English, second half of 18th century, copper plated with silver.; Sheffield plate |
| Physical description | Six-sided base decorated in relief with shellwork, fluting, and gadrooning; shaped stem similarly enriched; moulded socket (no nozzle). |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Production type | Mass produced |
| Production | Reason For Production: Retail |
| Summary | Before the 1780s candles made of tallow, 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. This candlestick is made of Sheffield plate, a fusion of copper and silver, discovered in 1742 by a Sheffield cutler, Thomas Boulsover (1704-1788). It imitates the appearance of solid silver, but at less than half the cost. It is made from die-stamped sections soldered together. The candlestick form was well suited to the technical innovation of die stamping. In this technique, where relief decoration was formed in thin sheets of metal, such as Sheffield plate or silver, the ornament could be assembled in a variety of combinations to provide a vast supply of models, differing from each other in only one or two details. The candlestick is decorated in an ornate, revived Rococo style. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.116-1912 |
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| Record created | September 17, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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