Object Description
An exceptional set of antique silver candlesticks in the French Huguenot taste. Fine quality and made of heavy gauge cast silver. The early rococo style bases are decorated with seashells, flowers and scrolls.
Total weight 2,444 grams, 78.5 troy ounces.
Height 20.3cm. Diameter of base 12.3cm.
London 1741.
Maker Elizabeth Godfrey.
Marks. Each is stamped underneath on the inside rim with a full set of matching English silver hallmarks, lion and makers mark on the sconce. Hand engraved to the upside of each base is a family crest – very worn. Each engraved with the scratchweight below the base.
ELIZABETH GODFREY
Elizabeth (Eliza) Godfrey nee Pantin. Married first to Abraham Buteaux on whose death in 1731 she carried on business as his widow until she married the following year to Benjamin Godfrey, Buteaux’s former journeyman. On Godfrey’s death in 1741 Eliza entered her own mark. Grimwade in his notable work “London Goldsmiths” describes Eliza’s work as showing “as might be expected, strong Huguenot characteristics of design and fine execution”.