George III Antique Silver Chamberstick

Object Description

Fantastic quality and excellent size, this elegant silver chamberstick (or ”Go to Bed” as these are often known) has plain classical Georgian styling, broad shell and gadroon borders, and ribbed detail to the candle sconce. The nozzle and snuffer are detachable. To the front there is a large hand engraved armorial with a crown above and motto “Patitet Qui Vincit”.

Weight 544 grams, 17.4 troy ounces.
Height 10cm. Diameter 16cm. Spread across the handle 19.5cm.
London 1806.
Maker “WS”.

Marks. The pan, nozzle and snuffer are all stamped with a matching set of English silver hallmarks. All 3 pieces all bear the engraved armorial crown.

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Object Literature

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 The earliest examples have straight handles (first flat, then tubular) which were superseded in the first part of the 18th century by a ring handle.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

The chamberstick is in very good condition. All matching and fully functional.

Object Details