Description

It is extremely unusual to find a completely matching 4 piece desk set of this early date. The suite consists of silver candlesticks, silver snuffer tray and silver snuffer scissors. All with a matching hand engraved crest and motto “Nec Tollitur Undis” – “No Water is Removed”. Britannia standard silver*. Lovely plain style in keeping with the period.

Candle snuffer scissors – the simple open and shut mechanism retains the original steel cutting plates. Weight 93 grams. Length 14.7 cm.
Snuffer stand – with cast acorn handle and four ball feet, similar style to the early chambersticks of that date. Weight 183 grams. Pan 17.1 x 6.3cm. Spread 11.7cm.
Cast candlesticks – with hexagonal form, baluster column and stepped spreading bases. Weight 596 grams, 19.1 troy ounces. Height 17.2cm. Base 11cm.
London 1716.
Maker David Greene.

Marks. The candle snuffer scissors have a full set of English silver hallmarks on one piece. The other side has David Greene’s makers mark struck twice. London 1716. The snuffer tray is stamped on top of the pan with the maker’s mark only, struck 4 times for David Greene. No date letter. The candlesticks are struck underneath with a full set of English silver hallmarks. London 1716. Maker David Greene. Also stamped on the candlestick sconces with the lions head erased mark, with wear.

Provenance: This set was showcased in an article in The Connoisseur magazine in 1946. At this date the set was in the collection of the Yale Museum, USA

Literature: There were few snuffers made prior to 1700 and by the early nineteenth century more refined candles were introduced which no longer required the wick to be cut. Additional information available at http://www.oldandinteresting.com/tallow-candles-snuffers.aspx. Snuffers and trays were usually made by different specialists so even though the dates match, the makers will probably be different.

Signed/Inscribed: A seal with the same motto “Nec Tollitur Undis” over a crest of a hand grasping an anchor is mentioned in the Constitution of Delaware 1776 – source “Americas Founding Charters” [Three Volumes] by ABC-CLIO

This rare desk set is in very good condition. The crest and motto engravings are still crisp.

Maker: David Greene

David Greene, London silversmith, apprenticed to Thomas Gardner 1691, turned over to Joseph Bird, free 1699 or 1700. 1st mark as largeworker 1701. 2nd (sterling mark) 1720. His mark is usually found on candlesticks and tapersticks, as did his master Joseph Bird.

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