Description

An attractive antique silver taperstick with hexafoil shell base, rope borders and an intricately shaped stem. Cast silver. Good size and weight. Owner’s initials “W.M” engraved underneath.

Weight 180 grams, 5.8 troy ounces.
Height 13.3cm. Base diameter 8.7cm.
London 1754.
Maker John Cafe.
Sterling silver.

Marks. Stamped with a full set of English silver hallmarks underneath the base.

Literature. Silver tapersticks, averaging about 5 inches high, are miniature table candlesticks used to hold a wax taper. Tapersticks would typically be found on a desk as they were not used for lighting; the melted sticks of wax were used for sealing letters, to give a flame for tobacco pipes or to light large candles. They are rarer than candlesticks and very few existed prior to the Queen Anne period. They usually appear in singles and pairs of tapersticks command a premium price.

The little taper stick is in very good condition, excellent weight and colour.

Maker: John Café

John Café, London silversmith, apprenticed to James Gould 1730, free 1740. 1st mark, largeworker, 1740. 2nd mark 1742. Took his brother William Cafe as apprentice 1742. Livery 1746. John died c.1757 and his apprentices Thomas Hannam and John Perry were turned over to William Cafe. Both William and John were known for their cast candlesticks.

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