An unusual pair of George II sterling silver candlesticks, London 1754 by John Wirgman (reg. 13th May 1751)

each in the Continental style, with shaped circular bases with wrythen twisted styling leading to knopped columns with twisted capitals, each fitted with removable shaped circular sconces. The base engraved with an impaled coat of arms within a rocaille cartouche. Each fully marked underneath, the sconces unmarked. (2)

Height – 26 cm / 10.25 inches

Weight – 923 grams / 29.68 ozt

The arms are possibly for Holland impaling Peter quartering either possibly Narborough or Davy of Kent

John Wirgman (b.c.1719) was the son of Peter Wirgman (d.1751) who is related or the same as a Swedish goldsmith of the same name working in Gothenburg 1733-7. This Peter registers a mark in London on the 17^th May 1738. John was apprenticed to Edward Feline on the 5^th June 1733 for £20, perhaps sent to London by his father from Sweden. He was free 3^rd July 1740 and entered his mark as larger worker in 1751 at Windsor Court, Strand, his late father’s address, then moved to Castle Court, Strand on the 12th of November of that year. On the 27^th May 1761 he moved opposite Durham Yard, Strand and to Princes Street in 1766.

Grimwade notes that “[i]n view of his apprenticeship it is not surprising to find him the only Wirgman concerned with plate working rather than gold and enamel work.” The unusual choice to work sheet metal candlesticks rather than the conventional London means of casting candlesticks at this time, may in some way be explained by John Wirgman’s Swedish heritage.