Description

A delightful little antique silver taper stick of plain early design with baluster stem and square octagonal foot with a sunken well. Cast silver.

Weight 116 grams, 3.7 troy ounces.
Height 11cms. Base diameter 6.7cms.
London 1729.
Maker John Eckford II.
Sterling silver.

Marks Stamped wWith a full set of English silver hallmarks under 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.

This lovely taper stick is in very good condition. Excellent patina.

Maker: John Eckford

John Eckford I, London silversmith, apprenticed to tobacconist John Whitfield 1682, also entered in the Goldsmith’s apprentice register as bound to Anthony Nelme (scored out). Free 1698. Mark entered as largeworker 1698. 2nd (sterling) mark 1720. Appears to have worked as both tobacconist and silversmith, his mark is often found on tobacco boxes of the period. Buried 1730. Also known as Eckfourd. John Eckford II, London silversmith, apprenticed to John Fawdery 1712, turned over to John Eckfourd 1712, and turned over again to Philip Rollos 1714. Free 1723. Two marks entered as largeworker (sterling and new standard) 1725. 3rd mark entered 1739. His son Joseph apprenticed to Henry Brind 1746, and another John to John Swift 1753.

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