Description

A superb pair of early English cast candlesticks of very rare octagonal form with diamond faceting. Britannia standard silver*. Lovely plain style and very desirable shape. Excellent colour. Good gauge silver. Each has a crest of a lion hand engraved to the base.

Weight 718 grams, 23 troy ounces.
Height 18cm. Base 11.25cm.
Each is stamped under the base with English silver hallmarks for London 1718.
Maker Matthew Cooper, known for his candlesticks.
Also stamped on the edge of the capitals with the lions head erased.

Marks. The silver marks are clear and easy to read.

Literature: *Britannia Standard silver. 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 pure. 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.

These lovely candle holders are in excellent condition. Sometimes this style can become flat on the edges from use but this pair still retains a good definition and sharpness. There is some wear to the lions crest engraving, as would be expected from genuine silver candlesticks of this age, but both still retain definition.

Maker: Matthew Cooper

Matthew Cooper, apprenticed to Robert Cooper 1693. Turned over 1693 to Joseph Bird. First mark entered as largeworker, 1702. . Signatory as “working goldsmith” to the petition complaining of the competition of “necessitous foreigners not having served seven years of apprenticeship", February 1716. Son Robert apprenticed to him, 1725. His mark is usually found on candlesticks, as is his master Joseph Bird. He was church warden of St John Zachary in 1713.

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