Candelabrum
1817-1818 (hallmarked)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Large and magnificent candelabra such as this one were generally used on the dinner table. More lighting was required when the dinner hour moved from the late afternoon to the evening, following the fashion in France for dining later. Candelabra with two or three branches became more common in Britain from the 1770s. Some people were critical of their effect. In The Cook's Oracle (1821), Dr William Kitchener noted that 'dinner tables are seldom sufficiently lighted ... our foolish modern pompous candelabras, seem intended to illuminate the ceiling, rather than to give light on the plates'.
People
This candelabrum was made by the Birmingham firm of Matthew Boulton Plate Co. as a special order for Perceval, Earl of Egmont. Although Matthew Boulton himself had died in 1809, the business was continued by his son, Matthew Robinson Boulton.
Design
The simple but elegant design of this candelabrum, using plain surfaces, contrasting gadroon (convex fluting) decoration and elongated forms terminating in urn-shaped sockets for the candles, recalls the work of one of the top London silversmiths, John Scofield, in the 1790s. Such a restrained Neo-classical style had been popularised in the late 18th century by the architect Robert Adam.
Large and magnificent candelabra such as this one were generally used on the dinner table. More lighting was required when the dinner hour moved from the late afternoon to the evening, following the fashion in France for dining later. Candelabra with two or three branches became more common in Britain from the 1770s. Some people were critical of their effect. In The Cook's Oracle (1821), Dr William Kitchener noted that 'dinner tables are seldom sufficiently lighted ... our foolish modern pompous candelabras, seem intended to illuminate the ceiling, rather than to give light on the plates'.
People
This candelabrum was made by the Birmingham firm of Matthew Boulton Plate Co. as a special order for Perceval, Earl of Egmont. Although Matthew Boulton himself had died in 1809, the business was continued by his son, Matthew Robinson Boulton.
Design
The simple but elegant design of this candelabrum, using plain surfaces, contrasting gadroon (convex fluting) decoration and elongated forms terminating in urn-shaped sockets for the candles, recalls the work of one of the top London silversmiths, John Scofield, in the 1790s. Such a restrained Neo-classical style had been popularised in the late 18th century by the architect Robert Adam.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Silver, cast and engraved |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Engraved with the crest of Perceval, Earls of Egmont |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
Boulton successfully campaigned for an Assay office in Birmingham to hallmark silver. It opened in 1773. Initially silver production increased and Boulton marketed his silver both at home and abroad. Within a few years his efforts to create a large-scale silver business had failed but his factory continued to carry out special orders in silver, like this candelabrum.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Reginald Dyson |
| Object history | Manufactured by Matthew Boulton (born in Birmingham,1728, died there in 1809) at the Soho factory, Birmingham. |
| Summary | Object Type Large and magnificent candelabra such as this one were generally used on the dinner table. More lighting was required when the dinner hour moved from the late afternoon to the evening, following the fashion in France for dining later. Candelabra with two or three branches became more common in Britain from the 1770s. Some people were critical of their effect. In The Cook's Oracle (1821), Dr William Kitchener noted that 'dinner tables are seldom sufficiently lighted ... our foolish modern pompous candelabras, seem intended to illuminate the ceiling, rather than to give light on the plates'. People This candelabrum was made by the Birmingham firm of Matthew Boulton Plate Co. as a special order for Perceval, Earl of Egmont. Although Matthew Boulton himself had died in 1809, the business was continued by his son, Matthew Robinson Boulton. Design The simple but elegant design of this candelabrum, using plain surfaces, contrasting gadroon (convex fluting) decoration and elongated forms terminating in urn-shaped sockets for the candles, recalls the work of one of the top London silversmiths, John Scofield, in the 1790s. Such a restrained Neo-classical style had been popularised in the late 18th century by the architect Robert Adam. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.46&A-1943 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
