AN EXCEPTIONAL PAIR OF GEORGE III WEDGWOOD JASPER-WARE FIVE-LIGHT CANDELABRA BY WILLIAM PARKER

Object Description

The foliate and guilloche concave ormolu bases of exceptional quality, with lion’s-mask feet still retaining their original mercurial gilt finish. These mounting jasper ware concave plinths having swags and ram’s masks, with designs by Lady Templetown of maternal scenes. The foliate socle surmounted with double ogee shaped receiver bowl cut with diamonds and gadroons. The containers issuing seven six-sided branches on three levels, five supporting van dyke drip pans and candle nozzles; a further two upper kick arms mounted with canopies and urn finials. The central faceted obelisk unusually mounted by twin J arm branches, supporting drop hung canopies and urn finials, further issuing a serpent down arm supporting drapery of pear shaped chain and finial drops. The candelabra terminates with urn finial with ormolu handles.

Object Literature

In 1781, William Parker received a patent for candelabra bases of this concave square form. Between 1782-3 a set of four candelabra mounted on such ‘patent’ cut and gilt green glass bases on ball feet was delivered to the 5th Duke of Devonshire at Chatsworth (see M. Mortimer, The English Glass Chandelier, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 2000, p. 97, pl. 43). A three-light candelabrum with the same patent base in Wedgwood jasperware attributed to Parker is illustrated op. cit, p.107, pl. 54. A pair of two-light candelabra with jasperware bases and the same lion-form feet as the present pair, slightly later in date to the ball feet of the Chatsworth examples, was sold from the collection of Walter P. Chrysler Jr., Parke-Bernet Galleries Inc., New York, 6-7 May 1960, lot 495. William Parker’s son entered into partnership with the Perry family, to become Parker and Perry in 1802-03 and later Perry & Co. in circa 1820, the prolific chandelier firm who received the patronage of the Royal family. The ormolu bases Attributed to Matthew Boulton, 1728-1809 Boulton was a key member of the Lunar Society a group of Birmingham-area men prominent in the arts, sciences and theology. Members included Watt, Erasmus Darwin, Joseph Priestley and Joseph Wedgwood hence the collaboration in creating the bases.

Object Condition

Excellent

Object Details