Description

An unusual Georgian sterling silver candle snuffer having a conical body and a long looped handle formed from silver wire. There is a side hook to stand it on the side of a chamber or candle stick when not in use. To the front is a hand engraved crest.

Weight 29 grams, just under 1 troy ounce.

Height 18 cm. Diameter 3 cm.

Sheffield 1811.

Maker John Roberts & Co, a specialist candlestick maker.

Literature. Two different types of candle snuffers, or douters, were used to extinguish the flame of a candle. The extinguisher, a small cone on the end of a long handle, and the snuffer, a dual purpose scissor like tool which could extinguish the candle flame and also cut the wick of the candle for reuse. 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.

The silver snuffer is in good condition. The body is stamped with a full set of English silver hallmarks. The crest still has definition but is difficult to make out. The seam on the conical body has spread a little and has a small old solder on the back which is probably in the original manufacture.

Maker: John Roberts & Co

John Roberts, Sheffield silversmith. Roberts worked in several partnerships prior to entering a mark in his own name. John Parsons & Co registered their mark on 3rd July 1793, the partners were John Parsons, William Ashforth, John Roberts, Samuel Mosley and John Green. This firm only manufactured candlesticks. John Parsons left after 5 months and the remaining partners registered their mark in December 1793 as John Green & Co. Again, they only manufactured candlesticks. William Ashforth retired in 1805 so partners Roberts, Mosley and Settle registered the mark John Roberts & Co. The firm continued to manufacture candlesticks and also wine coasters. John Roberts died in 1807 and his son John Winter Roberts became partner until 1812. When he left, he continued to trade as John Roberts & Co and re-entered the mark in 1813 with partners Thomas Clayton and John Amory. The partnership was dissolved by 1820.

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