Leopard Antiques Cast Britannia Silver Queen Anne Style Octagonal Candlesticks (Set of 4), With 2 Detachable 2 Light Candelabra - Tessiers

Cast Britannia Silver Queen Anne Style Octagonal Candlesticks (Set of 4), With 2 Detachable 2 Light Candelabra - Tessiers

Reference: S1656 Period: George V Year: 1932, 1930 Silversmith: Tessiers Ltd Place: London Price: $ 1 900.00 Weight: 3064 grams Dimensions: 22.0cm height (candlesticks), 31.7 cm (candelabra height, width 26 cm) Condition: Excellent (all 6 pieces). One barely noticeable small dent on one candlestick corner. Description: A fabulous set of 4 cast Britannia (950 grade) silver candlesticks with 2 matching detachable two light candelabra, which slot into the candlesticks. The candlesticks are octagonal with diamond facets, with the stems and sconces conforming in outline with the bases, a "pleasing and balanced design" (Peter Waldron, Price Guide to Antique Silver, No 115, pg 52). These are reproductions of a very popular Queen Anne style, made circa 1710, described as "the most desirable of Queen Anne candlesticks (Waldron, as above). The candlesticks are cast, and are exceptional quality, weighing around 530 grammes each (these are not loaded, total set weight 3.064 kilogrammes, or 108 ounces). The candlesticks have no engraving or armorials, and nothing has been removed. The two detachable 2 light candelabra slot perfectly into all 4 candlesticks, so quite a versatile set. They follow the same design as the candlesticks, with the addition of octagonal drip pans. The 2 candelabra were hallmarked in 1930 (so slightly before the candlesticks), but still match perfectly. They are numbered 2 and 8 respectively (with small stamped numbers near the hallmarks, so not visible once deployed). The candlesticks and candelabra are a nice size, not too big, so suitable for a modern dining setting. The hallmarks on all 6 pieces are clear, including makers mark AP over FP, for Arthur and Frank Parsons, who took over the Tessiers business in 1910 (and converted it into a limited company in 1920). Herbert Parsons, son of Arthur, took over the firm and became Prime Warden of the Goldsmiths Company in 1948 (John Culme, Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, pg 444). Tessiers dates back to 1811, and still trades today from Bond Street and Burlington Arcade (although mostly jewellery). All 6 pieces are Britannia silver (at 950 a higher grade than Sterling 925), it seems a number of high end firms used Britannia for their replica silver in the early 20th century - these are usually high quality). The 4 candlesticks also have a scratched stock code in the base (barely visible), "2/299-29, 99019, (4), +BRAN". These candlesticks are an exact replica of a pair owned by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, depicted in the book "The Queen's Silver" by Grimwade, 1953, page 62, where a pair by Gabriel Sleath, 1712, is depicted. Grimwade, famous as the author of the book "London Goldsmiths 1697-1837, their marks and lives" (which we highly recommend), describes the Sleath candlesticks as "having octagonal bases with faceted borders which is repeated on the central section of the candle sockets and provides an agreeable play of light and reflections on the plain surface". Perfect for candlelight, for which they were originally designed.


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Cast Britannia Silver Queen Anne Octagonal Candlesticks, detachable candelabra - Tessiers


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4 silver candlesticks, Queen Anne Octagonal style


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Silver Candelabra


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Full set, detached - Silver candlesticks


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Pair silver candlesticks


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Silver Candelabra branch


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Finial close-up - octagonal diamond


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Close up


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Base of cast silver candlestick - not loaded


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Hallmarks Tessiers - interior of base


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Hallmarks candelabra


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Scale - silver candlesticks


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silver Candlestick design 1680-1780

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