A very fine & unusual pair of George III cast candlesticks made in London in 1793 by Daniel Pontifex & William Fountain.
A very fine & unusual pair of George III cast candlesticks made in London in 1793 by Daniel Pontifex & William Fountain.
375199
The candlesticks are cast, which were the finest type available as they were of a heavier and thicker gauge of silver. As you will see from the images, the candlesticks are modelled in a very unusual style, with a circular, stepped, base decorated with reeded bands. The tapering main shaft, displays decorative reeded bands, as does the tulip shaped socket where the candle would have been placed. The removable sockets/drip pans display a raised reeded rim, and is where the melted wax would have been caught. Both are in excellent condition and are fully marked on the base and with the sterling mark and duty mark of the sleeve of the detachable nozzle.
The bases are each engraved with a contemporary shield shaped Coat of Arms. Our heraldic advisor has identified them as those as used by the Vernon family of Shipbrook, Cheshire and Worcestershire. The Vernon's first arrived at Shipbrook when William de Vernon was granted lands by Hugh d'Avranches, 1st Earl of Chester, after the Conquest in 1066. His son was to settle in Shipbrook, near Northwich.
Candlesticks are a very rare item to find being made by Daniel Pontifex, either alone or in partnership, which is why we thought that you must have first refusal. Daniel Pontifex's first mark was entered in partnership with William Fountain on 29th July, 1791. They had workshops at 13 Hosier Lane, West Smithfield, London, when these candlesticks were made. The partnership was dissolved by September 1794, when they both entered marks alone. A.G. Grimwade in "London Silversmith's 1697-1837" states that their work shows a high standard of execution and delicacy of design. This delicacy of design is shown here, as it is timeless and it could have been made in the 1930's, let alone the 1790's.
Height: 12 inches, 30cm.
Base Diameter: 5.45 inches, 13.63 cm.
Weight: 36oz, the pair.
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![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://marycooke.co.uk/british-silver-1760-1830/a-very-fine-unusual-pair-of-george-iii-cast-candlesticks-made-in-london-in-1793-by-daniel-pontifex-william-fountain&media=https://seek-unique-co.s3.amazonaws.com/marycooke-8876-Qfhef-OE67/stock/66f4485d45495_image_url_tt498.jpg&description=The candlesticks are cast, which were the finest type available as they were of a heavier and thicker gauge of silver. As you will see from the images, the candlesticks are modelled in a very unusual style, with a circular, stepped, base decorated with reeded bands. The tapering main shaft, displays decorative reeded bands, as does the tulip shaped socket where the candle would have been placed. The removable sockets/drip pans display a raised reeded rim, and is where the melted wax would have been caught. Both are in excellent condition and are fully marked on the base and with the sterling mark and duty mark of the sleeve of the detachable nozzle. The bases are each engraved with a contemporary shield shaped Coat of Arms. Our heraldic advisor has identified them as those as used by the Vernon family of Shipbrook, Cheshire and Worcestershire. The Vernon's first arrived at Shipbrook when William de Vernon was granted lands by Hugh d'Avranches, 1st Earl of Chester, after the Conquest in 1066. His son was to settle in Shipbrook, near Northwich.Candlesticks are a very rare item to find being made by Daniel Pontifex, either alone or in partnership, which is why we thought that you must have first refusal. Daniel Pontifex's first mark was entered in partnership with William Fountain on 29th July, 1791. They had workshops at 13 Hosier Lane, West Smithfield, London, when these candlesticks were made. The partnership was dissolved by September 1794, when they both entered marks alone. A.G. Grimwade in "London Silversmith's 1697-1837" states that their work shows a high standard of execution and delicacy of design. This delicacy of design is shown here, as it is timeless and it could have been made in the 1930's, let alone the 1790's.Height: 12 inches, 30cm.Base Diameter: 5.45 inches, 13.63 cm.Weight: 36oz, the pair. ){kind=link}