Lot Essay
The crest and monogram are those of Philipps, for Sir Richard Philipps, 7th Bt., of Picton Castle, co. Pembroke (d.1823), only son of Sir John Philipps 6th Bt., and his wife Elizabeth. In 1764 Sir Richard married his cousin Mary, daughter of James Philipps M.P. of Pontypark, co. Pembroke, he was created Baron Milford in 1776. The peerage became extinct on his death as he had no issue, the estates passing to his kinsman Richard Bulkeley Philipps Grant (1801-1857) who took the name Philipps.
Although no record of apprenticeship or freedom survive for either Sebastian or James, the Crespell brothers are recorded as working silversmiths from 1762. From 1769, the year the present candlesticks were made, they formed a strong alliance with the successful partnership of John Parker and Edward Wakelin and their names frequently appear in the ledgers held in the Victorian and Albert Museum. One of their best known commissions are a set of four soup tureens, also of 1769, made to the design of the King's architect William Chambers, one of which was recently exhibited at Garrards, Royal Goldsmiths, The Garrard Heritage, 1991, no. 18 on loan from the collection of the Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace.
A large series of designs for silver by both Robert and his brother James Adam, survive in The Sir John Soane Museum (Adam Darwings, vol XXV) including that for the present lot (see illustration). These candlesticks formed part of a larger set by both the Crespell brothers and John Carter, each engraved with the Philipps crest and monogram. The pair by John Carter, of 1767, are now at Temple Newsam, Leeds and are engraved no.7 and no. 8. These are discussed in Robert Rowe, Adam Silver, 1965, p. 37 and illustrated pl. 10, along with their design, pl. 11a. 'The drawing suggests that the base should be round and it is tempting to think that the silversmiths had decided by their own 'ability and taste' that it would have been better to be square. In fact Robert himself - or perhaps James - seems to have come to this conclusion for there are detail drawings, which may have been afterthoughts, showing the circular trumpet standing on a square plinth - substantially similar to the candlesticks as made.'
Robert Adam carried out many designs for furniture and other room fittings for his clients. He also designed a set of four silver candelabra, executed by John Carter, for Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bt., presumably for his town house, No. 20 St. James's Square.
Although no record of apprenticeship or freedom survive for either Sebastian or James, the Crespell brothers are recorded as working silversmiths from 1762. From 1769, the year the present candlesticks were made, they formed a strong alliance with the successful partnership of John Parker and Edward Wakelin and their names frequently appear in the ledgers held in the Victorian and Albert Museum. One of their best known commissions are a set of four soup tureens, also of 1769, made to the design of the King's architect William Chambers, one of which was recently exhibited at Garrards, Royal Goldsmiths, The Garrard Heritage, 1991, no. 18 on loan from the collection of the Duke of Marlborough, Blenheim Palace.
A large series of designs for silver by both Robert and his brother James Adam, survive in The Sir John Soane Museum (Adam Darwings, vol XXV) including that for the present lot (see illustration). These candlesticks formed part of a larger set by both the Crespell brothers and John Carter, each engraved with the Philipps crest and monogram. The pair by John Carter, of 1767, are now at Temple Newsam, Leeds and are engraved no.7 and no. 8. These are discussed in Robert Rowe, Adam Silver, 1965, p. 37 and illustrated pl. 10, along with their design, pl. 11a. 'The drawing suggests that the base should be round and it is tempting to think that the silversmiths had decided by their own 'ability and taste' that it would have been better to be square. In fact Robert himself - or perhaps James - seems to have come to this conclusion for there are detail drawings, which may have been afterthoughts, showing the circular trumpet standing on a square plinth - substantially similar to the candlesticks as made.'
Robert Adam carried out many designs for furniture and other room fittings for his clients. He also designed a set of four silver candelabra, executed by John Carter, for Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn Bt., presumably for his town house, No. 20 St. James's Square.