Object Description
An excellent pair of antique sterling silver candle holders with shell corners and detachable sconces. Very attractive design and heavy cast silver. Weight 1085 grams, 34.8 troy ounces. Height 20.5 cms. Base 11.5 x 11.5 cms. London 1750. Maker William Gould.
Biography – 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 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.