CIRCA 1845-1855, DESIGNED BY A.W.N. PUGIN AND MANUFACTURED BYJOHN HARDMAN & CO, BIRMINGHAM

These vine-entwined gasoliers were commissioned by Colonel Robert Myddelton Biddulph (d.1872) for the newly-completed Pugin-designed corridor in the Family or East wing at Chirk. Illustrated in situ in the 1862 watercolour, they were removed by the late 19th or early 20th Century, probably when electricity was introduced into the house by Lord Howard de Walden. Their design incorporates trefoiled ivy leaves such as feature on the 'medieval' chandelier designed in 1846 by the architect A.W.N. Pugin (d.1852) for Chirk's banqueting parlour or Cromwell Hall, as well as the spirally-twisted stem which is shared with the wall-lights (lot 9). All of this metalwork was supplied by the celebrated Birmingham 'Medieval Metalworker' John Hardman (d.1867) of Birmingham, whose metal manufactory had been established shortly after his 1837 meeting with Pugin. Some of the original correspondence between Pugin and Hardman survives in the Myddelton archive, and is included with lot 502. Amongst this is a letter dated 29 May 1855 from Hardman 100 Great Charles Street Birmingham:- we write to inform you that we have duly received the body of the 4-light pendants, and find that lengthening it is the only alteration which can be done to it, as it will require quite fresh tubes if it is to receive more ornamentation. Should you desire for this to be done, the shape of the branches can be altered, as well as the amount of the ornaments increased. We are sorry we have not yet been able to send the sketches of Corridor lanterns, but hope to do so soon.