A rare George II "Frying Pan" Chamberstick made in London in 1755 by John Cafe.
A rare George II "Frying Pan" Chamberstick made in London in 1755 by John Cafe.
375592
The Chamberstick is modelled in the scarce and early "frying pan" form. The main body is circular in form, with a raised reeded edge and the baluster shaped central section rises to an everted top. The baluster shaped handle has bi-furcated scroll mouldings where it is attached to the main body and terminates in an urn shaped end. The base well is engraved with a contemporary Armorial surrounded by a Rococo shell and foliate spray cartouche. The underside of the base displays a full set of hallmarks including the distinctive Gothic script mark of John Cafe, with circular device above. This mark is shown in " London Goldsmith's 1697-1837 - Their Marks and Lives " - Mark 1228, page 94, entered 13th December, 1742. This piece is in excellent condition and is of a very good colour and weight. This is one of the earliest forms of chamberstick and is very desirable being made by the specialist Candlestick maker, John Cafe. He had been apprentice to James Gould in 1730 and his first mark was entered in August 1740. He had workshops in Foster Lane and it would appear that the Cafe family had a monopoly in candle related silver production at this date. John cafe died in 1757.
The Armorial appears to be , in heraldic terms, Gules a Chevron between 3 cross crosslets fitchy. This would suggest the Berkeley/Barkeley, Crosse, Norton or Rich families. The lozenge shape would indicate an unmarried woman who had inherited the family estates and the headship of the family.
Height: 3 inches, 7.5 cm.
Length: 9 inches, 22.5 cm.
Base Diameter: 5.65 inches, 14.13 cm.
Weight: 14 oz.
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![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://marycooke.co.uk/british-silver-1649-1759/a-rare-george-ii-frying-pan-chamberstick-made-in-london-in-1755-by-john-cafe&media=https://seek-unique-co.s3.amazonaws.com/marycooke-8876-Qfhef-OE67/stock/6967d79df1812_image_url_nnpp8.jpg&description=The Chamberstick is modelled in the scarce and early "frying pan" form. The main body is circular in form, with a raised reeded edge and the baluster shaped central section rises to an everted top. The baluster shaped handle has bi-furcated scroll mouldings where it is attached to the main body and terminates in an urn shaped end. The base well is engraved with a contemporary Armorial surrounded by a Rococo shell and foliate spray cartouche. The underside of the base displays a full set of hallmarks including the distinctive Gothic script mark of John Cafe, with circular device above. This mark is shown in " London Goldsmith's 1697-1837 - Their Marks and Lives " - Mark 1228, page 94, entered 13th December, 1742. This piece is in excellent condition and is of a very good colour and weight. This is one of the earliest forms of chamberstick and is very desirable being made by the specialist Candlestick maker, John Cafe. He had been apprentice to James Gould in 1730 and his first mark was entered in August 1740. He had workshops in Foster Lane and it would appear that the Cafe family had a monopoly in candle related silver production at this date. John cafe died in 1757.The Armorial appears to be , in heraldic terms, Gules a Chevron between 3 cross crosslets fitchy. This would suggest the Berkeley/Barkeley, Crosse, Norton or Rich families. The lozenge shape would indicate an unmarried woman who had inherited the family estates and the headship of the family. Height: 3 inches, 7.5 cm.Length: 9 inches, 22.5 cm.Base Diameter: 5.65 inches, 14.13 cm.Weight: 14 oz. ){kind=link}