George III Antique Silver Chambersticks

Object Description

A fabulous pair of antique Irish silver chambersticks of particularly large size and heavy gauge silver. Plain classic Georgian style with broad gadroon borders, detachable nozzle and snuffer, and attractive shell thumbpiece with a stag crest.

Total weight 1211 grams, 38.9 troy ounces.
Height 12cm. Diameter 17cm. Spread 18.5cm.
Dublin, Ireland 1817.
Maker James Scott.
Sterling silver.

Marks. All matching and original.
Pan – stamped with a full set of Dublin silver hallmarks and maker. Crest on thumbpiece.
Nozzle – duty mark only
Snuffer – stamped with the Dublin harp, Hibernia, duty mark and maker. With a matching crest.

Maker: James Scott

James (Jas) Scott, Irish silversmith, working in Dublin during the first quarter of the 19th century. Workshop address 13, Trinity Place.

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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 around 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 The earliest examples have straight handles (first flat, then tubular) which were superseded in the first part of the 18th century by a ring handle.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 from the late 17th century onwards some were made with an aperture at the base of the stem to take a pair of scissor snuffers.

Object Condition

This attractive silver go to bed is in very good condition. All pieces are matching. Sharp engraving. Good colour. Shows moderate signs of wear commensurate with age.

Object Details