The candelabra correspond closely to neo-classical patterns that were manufactured and promoted in the 1780s by William Parker, in particular in drawings or instructional diagrams for assembly that were supplied by Parker, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (see Martin Mortimer, The English Glass Chandelier, Woodbridge, 2000, pp. 94 - 110). The glass pattern relates to that of a pair of Wedgwood candelabra that are likely to have been supplied to Queen Charlotte who decorated a room at Frogmore, Windsor, with scenes in the manner of Lady Templetown's 'paper cuts' published by Tomkins in 1790 (A. Kelly, Decorative Wedgwood, London, 1965, fig. 74; and J. Cornforth, 'Frogmore House - I', Country Life, 16 August 1990, p. 50).

William Parker (d.1784) founded his company in Fleet Street in the early 1760s, possibly by means of taking over the established business of Jerom Johnson, and was among the most prominent manufacturers of glass chandeliers, girandoles and candelabra in the second half of the 18th century fulfilling commissions for the Dukes of Devonshire for Chatsworth, circa 1782-83, and later at Devonshire House, London in the 1820's and 1830's, and for the Prince of Wales between 1783-86 for Carlton House, London.

A related pair of candelabra with jasper bases, possibly supplied to the Sturt family for Crichel, Dorset was sold Christie's, London, 23 May 2013, lot 155 (£21,250 including premium).





Post Lot Text
This lot is owned in whole or in part by Christie’s.
Please refer to the storage and collection terms as set out in the terms and conditions.