Georgian Silver Chamberstick


Date: 1817

Maker: John Mewburn

Country: England

Stock: 9335

Description

An elegant antique sterling silver chamber stick with plain classic styling, gadroon borders and plain C scroll handle with a thumb piece. The candle nozzle and snuffer are detachable. There is a family crest hand engraved to all 3 pieces and the pan base and snuffer both have an engraved monogram in old fashioned script. Weight 376 grams, 12 troy ounces. Height 9.5 cm. Diameter 14.5 cm. London 1817. Maker John Mewburn.

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 The earliest examples have straight handles (first flat, then tubular) which were superceded in the first part of the 18th century by a ring handle.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

John Mewburn

John Mewburn (originally John Nubron), first mark entered as plateworker, 1793, in Hare Court, Aldersgate St. Livery 1811. 2nd mark 1830. Died 1830.

Condition

This attractive silver chamber candlestick is in very good condition with no damage or restoration. All three pieces are original, fully matching and fit well together. The pan, snuffer and candle nozzle have clear and matching English silver marks. All three pieces have the matching hand engraved crest. There is a little surface scratching. Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item.

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