William III Antique Silver Candlesticks, London 1696.

Object Description

A superb collector’s item. A fine quality pair of early English candlesticks with square bases, gadroon decoration and the charming feature of applied lion masks to the columns. Excellent quality and heavy gauge of silver. Hand engraved to each of the sunken wells is a family coat of arms within plumage feathers.

Total weight 838g, 26.9 troy oz.
Height 17cm, 6.7ins. Base 10.7cm, 4.2ins.
London 1696.
Maker John Laughton.
Sterling silver.
17th century.

The technique of making cast silver sticks was introduced into England by Huguenot silversmiths in circa 1685. This, one of the early designs, appears to have been used by a small group of leading silversmiths of the time including David Willaume and John Laughton.

Marks. Stamped underneath in the corners with a full set of English silver hallmarks. The maker’s mark “I.L” is clearly stamped however each stick bears a second “I.L” mark which is poorly stamped; one next to the date letter “t”, the other next to the leopard’s head. This mark is recorded as unidentified in Jackson’s “Silver and Gold Marks” Ian Pickford edition page 135. An identical pair of candlesticks were sold in Christie’s auction stamped with John Laughton’s Britannia mark “LA” registered in 1697 and it is highly probable that “IL crowned” refers to the previous Sterling mark for John Laughton I”.

Arms. These are most probably for Carey (Cary) and likely to be for one of the Careys of Devon, a notable family well established before 1200. A likely candidate for these candlesticks would be Robert Carey, who inherited the title of Baron Hunsdon from a cousin in 1692.

Maker: John Laughton

The first mention of the Laughton family of silversmiths is a reference to Benjamin Page, free of the Grocers Company in 1660 after service to John Laughton (senior).

His son John Laughton I became free of the Grocers’ Company by patrimony. He is recorded as working on Maiden Lane from 1694 however his first mark was likely to have been the Sterling mark, “IL crowned” dated 1678, recorded in Jackson’s “Silver and Gold Marks” Ian Pickford edition page 135. His New Standard mark undated was presumably entered in 1697 on commencement of the new register. John seems to have specialised in making superb quality cast candlesticks of a particular style and technique associated with Huguenot workers during this period. His wife Ann entered her widow’s mark in 1701.

John Laughton II, son of John Laughton I and brother of Edward, free of the Grocer’s Company by patrimony. Mark entered as largeworker in 1699. Died in 1703 and his wife Mary, no record of apprenticeship or freedom, entered her own mark in 1704.

Edward Laughton, son of John Laughton I and brother of John Laughton II, free of the Grocer’s Company by patrimony 1675. His first recorded mark undated was presumably entered in 1697 on commencement of the new register.

Possible other family members mentioned by Grimwade are Charles Laughton I and Charles Laughton II, both free by patrimony of the Grocer’s Company 1685 and c.1738.

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Object Literature

Few domestic antique silver candlesticks still exist before the reign of Charles II and 17th century examples are usually made from sheet silver and are light in weight.

Cast silver candlesticks were first made in London during the 1680’s, the same time as the influx of Huguenot refugees fleeing French persecution. The Huguenots brought with them the superior techniques of modelling and casting needed to supply the new types of silverware in the fashionable “French” style. During that period a large quantity of Huguenot silverwares was stamped with English maker’s marks as the newly arrived foreign silversmiths took whatever work was offered, often as outworkers at very low rates of pay. It’s also possible that a Huguenot workshop was operating in London during this period supplying candlestick parts such as bases, stem sections and sockets for English workshops to assemble. Because of this it can be difficult to know from the maker’s mark whether a piece of silver from this period was made by an English or Huguenot worker and one needs to also look at the style and technique.

Object Condition

Both sticks are in very good condition with minor wear consistent with age. Sharp engravings.

Object Details