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Candlestick
Wyatt, James, born 1746 - died 1813 - Enlarge image
Candlestick
- Place of origin:
Birmingham, England (attributed, made)
- Date:
1775-1780 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Wyatt, James, born 1746 - died 1813 (possibly, designer)
Matthew Boulton, born 1728 - died 1809 (probably, maker) - Materials and Techniques:
Sheffield plate (copper plated with silver)
- Museum number:
M.287-1976
- Gallery location:
Silver Discovery Area, room 66, case 5
Object Type
This candlestick, one of a pair (M.287A-1976), has a detachable drip pan and is designed to hold a single candle.
Materials & Making
This candlestick, made of Sheffield plate, is assembled from four die-stamped sections which are soldered together. Sheffield plate was discovered in about 1742 by Thomas Boulsover , a Sheffield cutler. He found that copper and silver in unequal amounts, when fused, and subjected to mechanical pressure, expanded together indefinitely at a uniform rate. The introduction of Sheffield plate revolutionised the plating industry, for it offered an effective, relatively cheap, supremely versatile and durable technique which could convincingly imitate the surface appearance of solid silver.
Design & Designing
The design for this candlestick exists as an engraving in a Birmingham pattern book, now in the V&A (museum no. E.2060-1952; design no. 338). Although untitled, this book is now considered to be a pattern book from Matthew Boulton's Soho Manufactory in Birmingham, and datesable to between 1770 and 1775. The design may have been supplied by the architect James Wyatt (1746-1813), who is known to have undertaken designs in silver and Sheffield plate for Boulton in 1776.
