MARK OF JOHN SCOFIELD, LONDON, 1785

Details

A PAIR OF GEORGE III SILVER THREE-LIGHT CANDLEABRA
MARK OF JOHN SCOFIELD, LONDON, 1785
Each on a circular base with a gadrooned rim, the tapering fluted stem terminating in a fluted socket with detachable branches, each branch reeded and leaf decorated and terminating in a leaf calyx supporting a gadrooned drip pan and part fluted socket, with a central vase shaped finial with a flame finial, engraved with a coat-of-arms, marked on base, on base of branches, on sockets, wax pans and on nozzles, the socket and branches each further engraved with a number and scratchweight 'No. 1 35"4' and No. 1 58"4 Compt' on one and 'No. 4 36"10' and 'No. 2 56"4 Compt' on the other
21½ in. (54.5 cm.) high
the branches 120 oz. (3,735 gr.)
The arms are those of Fitzgibbon, for John Fitzgibbon, Attorney General of Ireland and later Lord Chancellor (1748-1802). He was later made 1st Earl of Clare. (2)

Provenance

The Rev. A.C. Lawson; Christie's London, 27 April 1960, lot 161 (£1,600 to Garrard)
With Garrard, 29 April 1960
Captain K.J. Douglas-Morris, R.N. and then by descent

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

John Fitzgibbon, later 1st Earl of Clare (c.1749-1802), was the son of John Fitzgibbon and his wife Isabella Grove, daughter of John Grove, of Ballyhimmock, County Cork, Ireland. Fitzgibbon was first Attorney-General for Ireland 1783 and later Lord Chancellor of Ireland 1789. He is best known for being a renowned champion of the Protestant Ascendancy and an opponent of Catholic emancipation, so much so that he persuaded George III to oppose it and ultimately led to the downfall of William Pitt, the British Prime Minister who had staked his reputation on achieving Catholic emancipation alongside the Act of Union.

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