George II Antique Silver Taperstick

Object Description

A pretty little antique silver taperstick with knopped stem and shaped rectangular base. Nice plain style. Cast silver. Hand engraved to the front with intertwined initials in old fashioned script.

Weight 114 grams, 3.6 troy ounces.
Height 10.6cm. Diameter of base 6.7cm.
London 1734.
Maker William Gould.
Sterling silver.

Marks. Stamped with a full set of English silver hallmarks underneath the base, lion mark to the sconce.

Maker: William Gould

William Gould, apprenticed to his brother James Gould in 1724, entered his first mark as largeworker in 1732. Like his brother’s, his mark is found virtually on candlesticks alone. His greatest work bears the mark of William Alexander on the great Knesworth chandelier of the Fishmongers’ Company, of 1752. Since Alexander’s work is otherwise virtually unknown, it seems certain that he acted as sponsor for the piece and that Gould was the actual craftsman responsible for one of the greatest pieces of rococo silver surviving.

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Object Literature

Tapersticks, averaging about 5 inches high are miniature table candlesticks used to hold a wax taper. They are rarer than candlesticks and very few exist prior to the Queen Anne period. They usually appear in singles and pairs of taper sticks command a premium price.

Object Condition

The little taperstick is in very good condition. Excellent colour. Moderate signs of wear commensurate with age.

Object Details