Images(21)

Candelabrum

Date1805-1806

Marked by Digby Scott & Benjamin Smith II (partnership 1802-1807)

Retailed by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell (partnership 1797-1843)

OriginEngland, London

MediumSilver; gold (silver-gilt)

DimensionsOverall OH: 36"; OW: 20"; OD: 21" a: body OH: 27 1/4"; OW: 12 1/4"; OD: 10 3/4" b: branch 1, with c: bobeche OH: 5 3/8"; OL: 10 1/2"; OW: 4" d: branch 2, with e: bobeche OH: 5 3/8"; OL: 10 1/2"; OW: 4" f: branch 3, with g: bobeche OH: 5 1/4"; OL: 10 3/8"; OW: 4" h: knob OH: 3 1/2"; Diam: 4" i: branch 1, with j: bobeche OH: 4 1/4"; OL: 8 3/4"; OW: 4" k: branch 2, with l: bobeche OH: 4"; OL: 9 3/8"; OW: 4" m: branch 3, with n: bobeche OH: 4"; OL: 9 1/4"; OW: 4" o: knob OH: 4 7/8"; Diam: 2 3/4" p: bobeche OH: 1 3/4"; Diam: 4" q: nozzle OH: 1 1/4"; Diam: 1 7/8" r: nozzle OH: 1 1/4"; Diam: 1 7/8" s: nozzle OH: 1 1/4"; Diam: 1 7/8" t: nozzle OH: 1 1/4"; Diam: 1 7/8" u: nozzle OH: 1 1/4"; Diam: 1 7/8" v: nozzle OH: 1 1/4"; Diam: 1 7/8" w: nozzle OH: 1 1/4"; Diam: 1 7/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, Mrs. Owen L. Coon

Object number1982-157

DescriptionCandelabra, resting on three lion paw feet that support a triangular platform, with incurved sides and canted corners, and a border with winged discs on each edge; on the platform sits three sphinxes with female head, lion body, wings, and coiled serpent tail, each facing outward at the points of the triangle. The sphinxes support a similarly shaped triangular surbase; on top of the surbase is applied three cast mantles with the coat of arms of Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland. From the center of the surbase extends a circular stem which is formed of three addorsed Egyptian females with headdresses and collars, within a slightly tapering column, with a band of ostrich feathers around the top, a plain middle section, curtain drapery with fringe at the bottom, below which protrudes three pairs of feet; three cast scrolling branches with lion mask and flattened circular socket, fluted on the underside with removable nozzle, spring from a bell shaped capital which is ornamented with palmettes and lotus buds with egg and dart band; a similarly bell shaped knob, ornamented with anthemion and an egg and dart band, is screwed on top of the capital, from which springs three more similarly cast branches; the central light, of a flattened circular form with fluted underside is screwed onto a tapered knob with plain sides, and egg and dart band and domed top.

Label TextThis monumental gilt candelabrum in the Egyptian taste represents the highest level of early nineteenth century London silver. The massive and eclectic nature of the design, rich sculpturing of elements and technical refinement are qualities associated with major productions of the period.

The great firm of Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, which had been appointed Goldsmith and Jeweller to the King 1797, organized this commission, undoubtedly providing the designs to Scott and Smith, who were then Rundell’s working partner, as was Paul Storr later. Applied on the upper face of the base are cast plaques of the royal arms with heraldic label for George III’s youngest son, Ernest Augustus (1771-1851), Duke of Cumberland, who succeeded as King of Hanover upon the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837.

Made in the Egyptian style for George III’s youngest son, this candelabrum stands thirty-six inches tall. It would have dominated any dining table—and it was originally from a set of at least three. With its rich gilding and finely sculpted details, it represents the best of Regency- or Empire-style English silver.
InscribedArms of Ernest Augustus, Prince of Great Britain and Ireland et al.
MarkingsMM: "D•S/•/B•S" within a rectangle; lion passant; date letter for 1805/06; and soverign's head; lepoard head crowned on stem

"EA./Fs" [script] and "E.D.C [script] / A [roman] /N°3. 443 [script]" engraved on underside of base.
MM: "D•S/•/B•S" within a rectangle; lion passant; date letter for 1805/06; and soverign's head on underside of base. (no lepoard head crowned)
"RUNDELL BRIDGE ET RUNDELL AURIFICES REGIS LONDINI FECERUNT" stamped on lower edge of base
"EDC" [script] with crown above, engraved on upper face of each socket flange - for Ernest Duke of Cumberland

Soverign head and lion passant on each of the the sphinx figures

Makers mark on underside of lower pedestal for arms/ lion passant on face of lower edge
same on upper pedestal
lion passant on edge of candle saucer

4 removable nozzles, lion passant, date letter for 1805/06, soverign's head on underside
3 removable nozzles, mm, lion passant, date letter for 1806/07, soverign head on underside

3 lower arms: mm; lion passant; date letter L for 1806/07; soverign head on face of arm near juncture with stem
set numbers 1, 2, 3 stamped on upper end and under saucers

3 upper arms: set numbers 1, 2, 3 stamped on lower end of arms
Lion passant; date letter; soverign head on inner tongue on 2 and 3 (inner tongue on 1 broken off)

3 saucers with mm and lion passant on inderside in center
A with lion passant on face at rim for nozzle
ProvenanceCandelabrum has arms of Ernest Augustus, Prince of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdate, Earl of Armagh and King of Hanover. The fifth son of George III, he was born on 5th June 1771 at the Queen's Palace, Buckingham House. He was educated at the University of Gottingen and in 1790 entered the 9th Hanoverian Hussars as a Lieutenant becoming their Lieutenant Colonel in 1793, and was a Major General in 1794 when, on 10th May, he was wounded at the Battle of Tournay and distinguished himself at the Battle of Nimequen in the following December.
On the death of his brother, William IV, on 20th June 1837, he succeeded, under the Salic Law as the male heir to his father, to the German Dominions of his family as King of Hanover and Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg. The Salic Law thus depriving Queen Victoria who had succeeded to the English throne, of the German dominions, she attempted to get back, through law, the enormous amounts of plate that had been sent out to Hanover over the years, but failed.
Retailed by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, London
Brand Ingles Ltd. of London

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