Not currently on display at the V&A

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.


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
  • Height: 47.6cm
  • Width: 44.5cm
Style
Production typeMass 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 createdSeptember 30, 2002
Record URL
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