Object Description
An elegant pair of antique sterling silver candle holders with tall tapering and fluted columns on oval bases. Lovely classic plain design with simple embossed borders. Height 30 cms. Base length 16 cms, width 12.5 cms. Sheffield 1784. Maker Smith and Sharp.
Biography – Robert Sharp of Newcastle on Tyne, apprenticed to Gawen Nash 1747 and turned over the same day to Thomas Gladwin Citizen and Merchant Taylor, free 1757. First mark in partnership with Daniel Smith 1763. Supplier to Parker and Wakelin. His nephew Robert Sharp was apprenticed to his uncle 1771. Second mark as plateworker, in parnership with Richard Carter and Daniel Smith 1778. Third, fourth and fifth marks, in partnership with Smith only again, 1780. This last mark has been ascribed previousy to Robert Salmon, spoonmaker. A curious characteristic of the marks of Smith and Sharp after the Carter partnership was over, and of Sharp alone in 1788, is that each shows at the top edge of the punch traces of the bottom of the initials of the former partner, apparently intentionally.