An Important pair of George III Neo-Classical Candlesticks

London, 1770

Maker’s Mark of John Romer

Total Combined Weight: 62.7oz (1950gr)

Height: Approximately 12in (30cm)

This is a very important pair of 18th century candlesticks. An early development of the neoclassical style, le goût grecque (Greek taste) was highly fashionable at the end of the 1760s. The fourth Duke of Bedford and the first Earl Harcourt, who were wealthy Francophile aristocrats and who were both ambassadors to Paris, are known to have been in the possession of this type of “festoon” candlestick/candelabrum made by Roberte Joseph Auguste (1723-1805) in Paris. Auguste had an international reputation, furnishing European courts, including those of England, Denmark, Sweden, Russia and Portugal. Harcourt possessed a set of four three-light candelabra and a pair of table candlesticks by Auguste, dated 1767. Bedford’s two-light candelabrum by Auguste (1767) has similar details as this pair of candlesticks.

The fourth Duke of Marlborough was the first to buy a ‘festoon candlestick’ from Parker and Wakelin in 1768, followed by the Earl of Holdernesse, Sir Gilbert Heathcote, Sir William Bagot, Mrs. Bourchier, Lord Boston and Lord Molineaux. Apparently also Earl Harcourt ordered this design of candelstick with Parker and Wakelin in 1769, to match his Auguste set.

The design was quickly used by a small handful of other English silversmiths, among them John Romer . This is one of the most famous designs of the late 18th century and is highly sort after by museums and collectors alike. A set of eight identical candlesticks are in the collection of the Met Museum, New York which were also made by John Romer but two years earlier in 1768. Examples of candlesticks of this design are extremely rare and there are only a handful of comparisons.

As one would expect, they have been made to the very highest quality and weigh over 30oz per candlesticks which is incredible for the 1770s . They are true masterpieces of the early Neo classical movement and these candlesticks have survived in remarkable condition. John Romer was a very well known silversmith working in London at the time and examples of candlesticks by him that have sold at auctions tend to be of the very highest quality like this pair.