ROYAL. An important William iv candlestick made in London in 1836 by john tapley from the collection of Ernst, Augustus, Prince of Great Britain, Duke of Cumberland and later King of Hanover.

This, almost certainly unique, piece is cast and was probably made for travelling. The Candlestick is modelled in a seventeenth century style, with a circular base with egg and dart outer border and sunken well. The main shaft is baluster in form and is also decorated with lobing and gadrooning. The stem rises to a flared drip pan with a detachable candle socket and nozzle above. These both come off, so that they can be packed away for travelling. The base and nozzle are engraved with the King's cipher, with the Sovereign's crown above. The base is engraved with E(rnsti) A(ugusti) F(ideikommissum). The underside of the drip pan is also engraved with 5th June, 1841, which was the King's 70th Birthday. We have to conclude that this was almost certainly a gift to the King on a landmark Birthday. The Candlestick is in excellent condition and is very well marked on the main body, candle socket and nozzle. We are sure that this was used for travelling, beacuse of its size and design and was almost certainly a very treasured, personal, item. John Tapley had workshops next to the Royal Silversmiths, Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, and would have been exposed to the Royal clientele visiting the premises next door.

Ernst, Augustus, Prince of Great Britain, Duke of Cumberland and later King of Hanover (1771-1851) was born at Buckingham House on 5th June, 1771, the fifth son of King George III and his consort Queen Charlotte. He was sent to Hanover in his adolescence for his education and military training. He was created Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale in 1799 and in 1815 he married the twice widowed Frederica of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, who was niece of Queen Charlotte. Following the death of his brother, William IV, in 1837, Ernst became Hanover's first resident ruler since King George I. He had a generally successful fourteen year reign and a revolution in 1848 was quickly put down. The Kingdom joined the German customs union in 1850, despite Ernst's reluctance. He died in 1851 and was succeeded by his son George.

This piece, which was given to the King on his 70th Birthday in 1841, remained in his collection until his death in 1851 and then in the collection of his royal descendants until it was sold in the famous Hanover Sale at Sotheby's in 2005.

Height: 6 inches, 15cm.
Base Diameter: 3.9 inches, 9.75 inches.
Weight: 12oz.