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Lot Essay
This pair of candelabra presumably originally formed a suite, together with at least one further pair of candelabra (Quentin Dick II; Sotheby's, London, 19 November 1987, lot 112), a set of four of candlesticks and a smaller pair (Christie's, London, 2 November 2016, lot 167). It has been suggested that the Duke of Cumberland exchanged this suite of silver when purchasing the 1806 Egyptian service by Paul Storr from Rundell, Bridge and Rundell. A pair of candelabra from the suite went to Dick and the larger candlesticks to the Earl of Lonsdale (illustrated R. Rowe, Adam Silver, London, 1965, pl. 96).
The design of the candelabra is comparable to those commissioned by William Beckford. The form is inspired by Robert Adam designs from the 1760s and are some of Beckford’s earliest silver commissions. Beckford first commissioned candlesticks of this model in 1781 and added to the set at intervals until 1817. At least eighteen of these candlesticks survive, although the total number in Beckford's collection is unknown. A pair of silver candlesticks of this design by John Scofield of 1791, engraved with crest, are in the Beckford Collection at Brodick Castle (D. E. Ostergard, ed., William Beckford 1760-1844: An Eye for the Magnificent, 2001, p. 306).
The design of the candelabra is comparable to those commissioned by William Beckford. The form is inspired by Robert Adam designs from the 1760s and are some of Beckford’s earliest silver commissions. Beckford first commissioned candlesticks of this model in 1781 and added to the set at intervals until 1817. At least eighteen of these candlesticks survive, although the total number in Beckford's collection is unknown. A pair of silver candlesticks of this design by John Scofield of 1791, engraved with crest, are in the Beckford Collection at Brodick Castle (D. E. Ostergard, ed., William Beckford 1760-1844: An Eye for the Magnificent, 2001, p. 306).