MAKER'S MARK OF BENJAMIN LAVER, LONDON, 1781

Details

A pair of George III silver two-light candelabra
Maker's mark of Benjamin Laver, London, 1781
Each on spreading circular base with laurel border, with fluted baluster stem applied at the shoulders with ram's masks hung between with husk swags, with campana shaped sockets, the detachable leaf-capped scroll branches each terminating in a circular drip-pan and with campana-shaped socket, with central urn with flame finial and drop ring handles, marked on bases, candlestick sockets and branches, with later plated nozzles
15in. (38cm.) high
115oz. (3,578gr.) (2)

Provenance

Frances, Lady Ashburton; Christie's London, 15 February 1939, lot 35, a set of four (£143 to Crichton)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

These candelabra follow French prototypes produced by the celebrated Paris goldsmith Robert-Joseph Auguste (b.1723). He registerd his own mark in 1757 and became the goldmsith of King Louis XVI in 1778. It is possible that Benjamin Laver was inspired by a set of four candelabra with a pair of matching candlesticks, which were in the collection of the Earls Harcourt, by Robert Joseph Auguste, 1767. They were probably brought to England by Simon, 1st Earl Harcourt (1714-1777), George III's ambassador to the Court of Louis XVI (The Harcourt Collection; Sotheby's London, 10 June 1993, lot 103).

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