Lot Essay
These unusual candlesticks follow the form previously employed by Charles Kandler in the early 18th century. A pair of 1730 illustrated in V. Brett, The Sotheby's Directory of Silver 1600-1940, London, 1986, no. 830., are almost identical to the present set of four. However, the putti are substituted by female mask scroll brackets hung between with foliate swags. Another pair of 1728 by Charles Hatfield, though possibly by Kandler, Charles Hatfield being a mis-reading of the Kandler mark, are of identical form with kneeling putti supporting the sockets (illustrated in V. Brett, op.cit. no. 835). It is probable that these candlesticks were gilded by John Patrick, 3rd Marquess of Bute in the 19th century.