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Pair of candlesticks

Marked by: Sebastian and James (I) Crespell
Designed by: Robert Adam (Scottish, 1728–1792)
Bobeches by: Samuel Whitford II (English, active 1800–around 1820, died before 1856)
English (London)
1769–70
Object Place: Europe, London, England

Medium/Technique Metal; silver
Dimensions 35 x 16 x 15 cm (13 3/4 x 6 5/16 x 5 7/8 in.)
Weight: 1,374.9 gm (44 oz 4 dwt)
Credit Line Theodora Wilbour Fund in memory of Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, Gift of Mrs. Irving K. Hall, Bequest of George Nixon Black, Estate of Mrs William Dorr Boardman, Gift of Mary W. Bartol, John W. Bartol, and Abigail W. Clark, Gift of Mrs. Henry Lyman, Anonymous Gift in memory of Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, Miss Grace W. Treadwell, Gift of Miss M. H. Jewell, Gift in memory of Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, Gift of Hollis French, Gift of Mrs. D. Wilmarth Cressey, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen C. Greene, Bequest of Amelia Peabody, by exchange, and Gift of Mrs. Stuart C. Welch
Accession Number1993.943.1-2
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsSilver

DescriptionEach candlestick rests on a square plinth that is cast in one piece and bordered with a band of acanthus foliage. The two sections of the baluster stem, joined above the knop, are formed of cast halves, vertically seamed. The stem rises from a circular base with a guilloche border, beading and canthus fluting. Above a caluster of acanthus leaves, the stem is vocered with spiral fluting, rising to a flared knop. A vase-shaped socket with an acanthus base, cast in two vertical halves, surmounts the stem. Two removable gadrooned waxpans, each engraved with a crest, fit inot the sockets.

The single three-light branch has a large central vase-shape nozzle, scrolled, reeded arms, and one smaller nozzle on either side. the central socket is fitted with a detachable cone-shaped extinguisher with a fan of laurel leaves and a spherical finial.
Marks Underside of each candlestic base, maker's mark SC over IC (Grimwade 2497), (Grimwade 2497); date letter O; leopard's head crowned; lion passant. On stem of each waxpan, maker's mark, SW (Grimwade 2663); sovereign's head; lion passant; date letter k. On underside of branch waxpans and on foot of each end of nozzle, lion passant.


InscriptionsARMORIALS: on each pan and central waxpan, crest of Sir Richard Phillips, seventh baronet of Pitcon Castle, co. Pembroke (d. 1823), created baron Milford 1776.
INSCRIPTION: engraved on corner of each, monogram RMP with crest in center; scratched underside of each base No 1 42'' 11; no 2 40'' 19
ProvenanceBy descent to Sir John Phillips, purchased by Thomas Lumley, Ltd., London, 1945; with Thomas Lumley, Ltd., London, 1982; sold Christie's, London, May 13, 1992, lot 152, purchased by Firestone & Parson, Boston, purchased January 26, 1994, Theodora Wilbour Fund in Memory of Charlotte Beebe Wilbour, Gift of Mrs. Irving K. Hall, Bequest of George Nixon Black, Estate of Mrs. William Dorr Boardman through Gift of Mrs. Bernard C. Weld, Gift of Mary W. Bartol, John W. Bartol, and Abigail W. Clark, Gift of Mrs. Henry Lyman, Anonymous Gift to the MFA in Memory of Charlotte Beebe Wilbour (1833-1914).