George III Antique Silver Chamberstick


Date: 1806

Maker: William Stroud

Country: England

Stock: 10120

Description

Fantastic quality and excellent size, this elegant silver chamberstick (or ”Go to Bed” as these are often known) has plain classical Georgian styling, broad shell and gadroon borders, and ribbed detail to the candle sconce. The nozzle and snuffer are detachable. To the front there is a large hand engraved armorial with a crown above and motto “Patitet Qui Vincit”.

Weight 544 grams, 17.4 troy ounces.
Height 10cm. Diameter 16cm. Spread across the handle 19.5cm.
London 1806.
Maker “WS”, probably William Stroud.

Marks. The pan, nozzle and snuffer are all stamped with a matching set of English silver hallmarks. All 3 pieces all bear the engraved armorial crown.

Literature: Chambersticks first made an appearance in the 17th century and early examples are now very hard to find. Originally they were made in sets as a household would need many chambersticks. They were used for lighting the way to bed and because of the movement created when they were carried about they needed a large drip pan to catch the wax. The earliest examples have straight handles (first flat, then tubular) which were superseded in the first part of the 18th century by a ring handle. Gradually the design evolved and from the mid-18th century onwards they usually had a matching conical snuffer although from about 1790 onwards some were made with an aperture at the base of the stem to take a pair of scissor snuffers.

Biography

William Stroud

William Stroud (Strowd), London silversmith, apprenticed to John Wirgman 1769, free 1776. 1st mark entered 1788. 2nd mark 1823.

A William Stroud, thought to be a separate individual, was recorded by Heal as a goldsmith working in Wood Street in 1761. No mark recorded.

Condition

The chamberstick is in very good condition. All matching and fully functional.

Images