Description

A delightful little antique silver taper stick of plain early design with knopped, faceted, baluster stem on a raised octagonal foot. Cast silver. Hand engraved to the front of the foot is a family crest. The straight lined octagonal shape is a rare and desirable feature.

Weight 84 grams, 2.7 troy oz.
Height 11.5cm, 4.5ins. Base diameter 7.2cm, 2ins.
London 1716.
Maker Joseph Bird.
Marks. Stamped underneath with a full set of English silver hallmarks.
Britannia standard silver, purity 95.8%.

Marks. Stamped underneath with a full set of English silver hallmarks.

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.

*Britannia Standard. In 1696, so extensive had become the melting and clipping of coinage that the silversmiths were forbidden to use the sterling standard for their wares, but had to use a new higher standard, 95.8 per cent. New hallmarks were ordered, “the figure of a woman commonly called Britannia” and the lion’s head erased (torn off at the neck) replacing the lion passant and the leopard’s head crowned. This continued until the old standard of 92.5 per cent was restored in 1720. Britannia standard silver still continues to be produced even today.

A superb example in very good condition with moderate wear consistent with age.

Maker: Joseph Bird

Joseph Bird (active before 1685, died 1735), London silversmith, free of the Brewers Company sometime prior to 1685. Largeworker. He entered 2 undated marks circa 1697 at the address in Foster Lane where he continued to work throughout his career. 3rd mark no date or address attributed. 4th (sterling) 1724. Some of his marks incorporate a little bird which is very charming. Joseph Bird was a specialist candlestick maker who passed down his skills to his apprentice David Green and through Green to James Gould who in turn was master to John Cafe. A worthy line of distinguished candlestick makers.

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