Description

A rare and very attractive early English silver snuffers and stand dating to the early 1700’s. The plain styled base, with a cast hexagonal stepped base and baluster stem, has the typical style of the candlesticks of this period. The snuffer scissors, known also as wick trimmers, sit longways in the stand, and the pointed end fits snugly into the stand’s retaining slot.

Total weight 328 grams, 10.5 troy ounces.
Height 22cm. Stand height 13.5cm, base diameter 7.8cm. Scissors length 14.7cm.
London 1706/1718.
Maker Matthew Cooper.
*Britannia standard silver.
18th century.

Marks. Both the stand and snuffers are stamped with a full set of English silver hallmarks – lions head erased, maker’s mark “Co” for Matthew Cooper, Britannia mark, and date letter.

• The marks on the snuffers are poorly stamped; the lion mark is clear, the maker’s mark is very likely to be “Co”, the Britannia mark is not really visible, the date letter is partially stamped but looks to be the “e” for London 1706. Queen Anne period.
• The marks on the stand are all clear and easy to read for London 1718. George I period.

*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. This continued until the old standard of 92.5 per cent was restored in 1720.

Literature: Snuffers were made for trimming wicks which had not burnt down with the candles. 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. Standing snuffers were made in the early 1700’s and were very quickly superseded by the flat snuffer tray and scissors. It’s very unusual to find a snuffer scissors and stand both with same date and maker.

Both the stand and snuffers are in very good condition. They fit well together with just a slight movement. The scissors do not have a snap shut action but they close well and are usable.

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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