Set of George II Antique Silver Candlesticks


Date: 1742

Maker: William Gould

Country: England

Stock: 10152

Description

This plain design, typical of the period, is enhanced by the unusual feature of the naturalistic shell corners. A handsome set of four antique silver candlesticks with baluster stems and shaped square bases. Heavy gauge cast silver. Each foot has a hand engraved armorial.

Total weight 1,940 grams, 62.3 troy ounces.
Height 19.5cm. Diameter of base 11cm.
London 1742.
Maker William Gould, specialist candlestick maker and great exponent of rococo silver.
Sterling silver.

Marks. Each stick is stamped inside the bottom rim with a full set of matching English silver hallmarks (1 stick with badly struck maker and leopards head). A nice feature is the lion mark on each sconce (rubbed).

Literature: Cast candlesticks started to appear circa 1685, these are much heavier in weight and capable of withstanding greater wear. The first loaded candlesticks appeared circa 1765 and are made of sheet, and not cast.

Biography

William Gould

William Gould, apprenticed to his brother James Gould in 1724, entered his first mark as largeworker in 1732. Like his brother's, his mark is found virtually on candlesticks alone. His greatest work bears the mark of William Alexander on the great Knesworth chandelier of the Fishmongers' Company, of 1752. Since Alexander's work is otherwise virtually unknown, it seems certain that he acted as sponsor for the piece and that Gould was the actual craftsman responsible for one of the greatest pieces of rococo silver surviving.

Condition

All four of these mid 18th century candlesticks are in very good condition. There’s a bit of wear to the engraved armorials.

Images