AFTER A DESIGN BY GEORGE SMITH, CIRCA 1820-30

Popularised as 'Drawing Room Candelabra' in Thomas Hope's Household Furniture and Interior Decoration', 1807, (pl.6), the model was reinterpreted from the 'antique' prototypes probably by the French-born Piccadilly bronzier Alessi Decaix. These torcheres with bacchic lion-paw 'claws' also relate to patterns for 'Tripod Stands for Work Tables, Screens & Candelabri' published in George Smith's Collection of Designs for Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, 1806 (pl.III) and in particular to the Caraceppi candelabrum illustrated in H. Moses, Collection of Antique Vases, Tripods, Candelabra..., London, 1814, (pl. 85). Similar tripods also featured in the 1830s trade-sheet of Thomas Messenger and Sons of Birmingham and London (Temple Newsam House, Country House Lighting, Exhibition Catalogue, 1992, fig. 95).