George II Antique Silver Chamberstick

Object Description

An early English sterling silver chamber stick (also known as a go to bed) with a simple thumbpiece and carrying handle. Solid design and excellent heavy gauge silver as you’d expect from this date. Hand engraved to the top of the pan with the crest of a serpent intertwined with 4 arrows.

Weight 411 grams, 13.2 troy ounces.
Diameter 15cm. Spread 19cm.
London 1751.
Maker John Priest, specialist candlestick maker.
Sterling silver.

Marks. Stamped underneath with a full set of English silver hallmarks and scratchweight 13=15.

JOHN PRIEST
John Priest (or Preist), London silversmith, apprenticed to William Gould 1739, free 1749. 1st mark entered as largeworker 1748. Specialist candlestick maker.

Object Literature

Silver chambersticks first made an appearance in the 17th century and early examples are now very hard to find. Originally they were made in sets as a household would need many chambersticks. They were used for lighting the way to bed and because of the movement created when they were carried about they needed a large drip pan to catch the wax. The earliest examples have straight handles (first flat, then tubular) which were superseded in the first part of the 18th century by a ring handle. Gradually the design evolved and from the mid 18th century onwards they usually had a matching conical snuffer although from about 1790 onwards some were made with an aperture at the base of the stem to take a pair of scissor snuffers.

Object Condition

This early English silver chamberstick is in very good condition. Very heavy quality and superb colour.

Object Details