Thomas Messenger, Birmingham manufacturer of 'Chandeliers, Tripods and Lamps of every description in bronze and or-molu', opened a London branch in 1826 (E. Moncrieff, 'Argand Lamps'’, Antique Collector, February 1990, p. 47). A pair of their colza-oil candelabra was sold anonymously, Christie's, London, 30 November 2000, lot 8 (£12,925). A related pair of cluster-columned scarlet tôle peinte lamps, originally at Luttrellstown, Clonsilla, Co. Dublin, was sold anonymously, Sotheby's, New York, 22 April 1995, lot 98 ($21,000).