Hallmarks -- England; Plate -- Collectors and collecting; Sheffield plate
In considering candelabra, the ordinary branched three-light
candelabrum is interesting, and many forms follow each other
indicating the steady progress onwards. The example illustrated (p. 87)
is capable of being used as a single candle or as two lights. It is in
the usual nomenclature of the trade termed a three-light candelabrum,
though only two lights are capable of being used at the same time. The
nozzles are removable. Now the removable nozzle was not introduced
into silver plate until about 1758, when the tall Corinthian column
types first had this invention. But the example under notice has other
indications to place it about 1800. It has the slight suggestions of
oncoming Empire style, the commencement of a return to austerity, a
poverty of design, and the urns and nozzles betray the newer forms of
ornament. The oval bases and the touch of floriate ornament under the
nozzle urns have their indicative note. It will be observed that the
camera, with more penetration than the human eye, has brought out the
thinness of the plate, and it is here represented in the illustration.
It denotes perhaps less of a delinquency on the part of the plater or
a flaw in his technique than a grave indictment against generations of
housemaids who have used metal polish which contained mercury or some
other noxious compound inimical to the longevity of the superimposed
silver. So here it is indicating a last stage of its simulation and the
base copper peeps forth triumphantly.
[Illustration: OLD SHEFFIELD PLATED CANDELABRUM.
One of a pair. Two-light: about 1790. Fluted column handwork. Fluted
leaf ornament on cups, with Gothic looped branches surmounted by an
acorn.
(_In the collection of B. B. Harrison, Esq._)]
A glorious candelabrum of massive form branched with seven lights
on square base with ball feet is in date about 1820 (illustrated, p.
91). The grease cups indicate its late date, and underneath is the
same bud-like floriate ornament we noticed in the last example. But
in addition to give it yet a later date is the broken branch with
ball-like ornament. It is a fine example, especially noteworthy as
being representative of a period just before a decadence of design set
in which thrusts the collector out and freezes any interest he may take
in perfect technique by reason of a fearfulness he has of banal design.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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