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Lot Essay
This pair of candelabra was sold as lots 64 and 65 in the Duke of York auction, following a larger similar example, lot 63, described as follows:
MASSIVE SILVER GILT PLATE
Lot 63 A SUPERB CANDELABRUM, by ditto [i.e. Lewis], about 34 inches high composed of a figure of NEPTUNE, one knee supported upon a sea horse, but standing upon a rock covered with marine productions. The right arm supports a shell upon his head, from which springs a hydra with five necks, bearing five sconces for lights, the whole producing a truly splendid effect. Weight of the candelabrum, 542 oz., 10 dwts. Also a mahogany brass-bound case for ditto [£180/]
Lot 64 A SMALLER CANDELABRUM of nearly the same design, and nearly 28 inches high, but the figure of Neptune is supported by a dolphin: the hydra is disposed in branches to bear six lights: weight 388 oz. 10 dwts. [£135/14/6]
Lot 65 THE COMPANION CANDELABRUM. Weight, 395 oz. 10 dwts. [£135/14/6]
The present pair of candelabra presumably flanked the larger example, lot 63, which is marked by Farrell and dated 1818 (sold Christie's, London, July 15, 1998, lot 278, now in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum). Another similar larger example of 1819 was sold at Christie's, New York, September 27, 1978, lot 213. The two larger examples employ the same figure of Neptune, but he stands on a sea-horse rather than a dolphin, as on the present examples.
MASSIVE SILVER GILT PLATE
Lot 63 A SUPERB CANDELABRUM, by ditto [i.e. Lewis], about 34 inches high composed of a figure of NEPTUNE, one knee supported upon a sea horse, but standing upon a rock covered with marine productions. The right arm supports a shell upon his head, from which springs a hydra with five necks, bearing five sconces for lights, the whole producing a truly splendid effect. Weight of the candelabrum, 542 oz., 10 dwts. Also a mahogany brass-bound case for ditto [£180/]
Lot 64 A SMALLER CANDELABRUM of nearly the same design, and nearly 28 inches high, but the figure of Neptune is supported by a dolphin: the hydra is disposed in branches to bear six lights: weight 388 oz. 10 dwts. [£135/14/6]
Lot 65 THE COMPANION CANDELABRUM. Weight, 395 oz. 10 dwts. [£135/14/6]
The present pair of candelabra presumably flanked the larger example, lot 63, which is marked by Farrell and dated 1818 (sold Christie's, London, July 15, 1998, lot 278, now in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum). Another similar larger example of 1819 was sold at Christie's, New York, September 27, 1978, lot 213. The two larger examples employ the same figure of Neptune, but he stands on a sea-horse rather than a dolphin, as on the present examples.