Candelabrum
ca. 1795 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Before the 1780s, candles were the chief source of artificial light. People used candelabra and candlesticks all over the house and moved them from place to place as required. However, even the grandest households used candles sparingly unless there were guests. In 1774, Lady Leicester at Holkham Hall, Norfolk, supposedly sewed every night by the light of a single candle.
The small size of this candlestick suggests that it was probably intended for the drawing room or library rather than the dining room. It is made of Sheffield plate, which looks like solid silver but costs less than half as much. Thomas Boulsover developed this fusion of copper and silver in 1742.
This candlestick, which has detachable branches, is in the Neo-classical style. It is made from die-stamped sections soldered together. Die stamping was an ideal technique for candlesticks. It created raised decoration on thin sheets of metal such as Sheffield plate or silver. Metalworkers could assemble the decorated sheets in a variety of combinations. This provided a vast supply of models, which differed from each other only in one or two details.
The small size of this candlestick suggests that it was probably intended for the drawing room or library rather than the dining room. It is made of Sheffield plate, which looks like solid silver but costs less than half as much. Thomas Boulsover developed this fusion of copper and silver in 1742.
This candlestick, which has detachable branches, is in the Neo-classical style. It is made from die-stamped sections soldered together. Die stamping was an ideal technique for candlesticks. It created raised decoration on thin sheets of metal such as Sheffield plate or silver. Metalworkers could assemble the decorated sheets in a variety of combinations. This provided a vast supply of models, which differed from each other only in one or two details.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Sheffield plate |
Brief description | Candelabrum, Sheffield plate, ca. 1795 |
Physical description | Ribbed, with vase-shaped socket, baluster stem, and round base; with attachment consisting of a central socket and two branches ending in a socket. Maker's mark of Roberts, Cadman & Co. (branches missing). |
Dimensions |
|
Style | |
Production type | Mass produced |
Gallery label | BADA 2004 Exhibition label:
CANDLESTICK
Sheffield Plate, England, around 1795, Roberts, Cadman & Co.
This single candlestick can be converted into a candelabrum with the attachment of a central socket and two branches supporting additional sockets. The demand for converting table candlesticks into multi-branched candelabra increased during the late 18th century as dinner was served later in the day.
This candlestick bears the maker's mark (a bell in an oval punch) of Roberts, Cadman & Co. a company renowned for innovative lighting solutions.
M.631-1936(March 2004) |
Credit line | Mrs M. D. Chaplin Gift |
Production | Reason For Production: Retail |
Summary | Before the 1780s, candles were the chief source of artificial light. People used candelabra and candlesticks all over the house and moved them from place to place as required. However, even the grandest households used candles sparingly unless there were guests. In 1774, Lady Leicester at Holkham Hall, Norfolk, supposedly sewed every night by the light of a single candle. The small size of this candlestick suggests that it was probably intended for the drawing room or library rather than the dining room. It is made of Sheffield plate, which looks like solid silver but costs less than half as much. Thomas Boulsover developed this fusion of copper and silver in 1742. This candlestick, which has detachable branches, is in the Neo-classical style. It is made from die-stamped sections soldered together. Die stamping was an ideal technique for candlesticks. It created raised decoration on thin sheets of metal such as Sheffield plate or silver. Metalworkers could assemble the decorated sheets in a variety of combinations. This provided a vast supply of models, which differed from each other only in one or two details. |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.631-1936 |
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Record created | September 30, 2002 |
Record URL |
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