George I Antique Silver Snuffers and Stand, London 1718/1720.

Object Description

highly sought after early English silver standing snuffer set dating to the early 1700’s. The plain styled base, with a cast hexagonal foot and baluster stem, has the typical style of the candlesticks of this period. The snuffer scissors, known also as wick trimmers, sit longways in the stand, and the pointed end fits into the stand’s retaining slot. There is a matching hand engraved armorial to both pieces.

Total weight 321 grams, 10.3 troy ounces.
Total height 19cm, 7.5ins. Stand height 13.8cm, base width 7.7cm. Scissors length 12.9cm.
London 1718/1720.
Makers Matthew Cooper and Francis Turner. Both are candlestick specialists.
Britannia standard silver, 95.8% purity.

Marks. Both the stand and snuffers are stamped with a full set of English silver hallmarks – lions head erased, maker’s mark, Britannia mark, and date letter. The stand was made by Matthew Cooper. The scissors mark for Francis Turner is a bit grainy but can be clearly made out.

Arms. The arms engraved on the snuffer and stand are probably those of Danbury – possibly Flammicke.

*Britannia Standard silver. In 1696, so extensive had become the melting and clipping of coinage that the silversmiths were forbidden to use the sterling standard for their wares, but had to use a new higher standard, 95.8 per cent. This continued until the old standard of 92.5 per cent was restored in 1720.

Maker: Matthew Cooper; Francis Turner

Matthew Cooper and Francis Turner worked independently at the beginning of the 1700’s. Both were specialist candlestick makers.

Matthew Cooper, apprenticed to Robert Cooper 1693. Turned over 1693 to Joseph Bird. First mark entered as largeworker, 1702. Signatory as “working goldsmith” to the petition complaining of the competition of “necessitous foreigners not having served seven years of apprenticeship”, February 1716. Son Robert apprenticed to him, 1725. His mark is usually found on candlesticks, as is his master Joseph Bird. He was church warden of St John Zachary in 1713.

Francis Turner, London silversmith, apprenticed to Thomas Prichard of the Grocers Company 1700, free 1707. Mark entered as largeworker 1709. 2nd (sterling) mark 1720. 3rd (new standard) mark 1721. A noted candlestick maker.

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Object Literature

Snuffers were made for trimming wicks which had not burnt down with the candles. There were few snuffers made prior to 1700 and by the early nineteenth century more refined candles were introduced which no longer required the wick to be cut. Standing snuffers were made in the early 1700’s and were very quickly superseded by the flat snuffer tray and scissors. It’s very unusual to find a snuffer scissors and stand both with same date and maker.

Object Condition

Both the stand and snuffers are in very good condition. They fit well together with just a little movement. The scissors do not have a snap shut action; they close well and are usable. The engravings retain good definition.

Object Details