A pair of George III Old Sheffield Silver Plate candlesticks, Birmingham circa 1768 by Matthew Boulton and John Fothergill

Each in the French Rococo manner, with shaped circular bases with twisted spiral rocaille fluting leading to an inverted baluster knop with embossed flower heads and trailing husks. The capitals with removable circular sconces with egg and dart rim, probably later. Each marked to the base foot rim with B&F between crowns. (2)

Height – 30 cm / 12.9 inches

For a pair of candlesticks of this exact same form (not including sconces) in silver marked for Boulton & Fothergill, Chester 1768 in the Birmingham Assay Office collection, illustrated Matthew Boulton and the toymakers, Silver from the Birmingham Assay Office (1982), p.9.

Matthew Boulton started production in Old Sheffield plate at the Soho factory in 1762. The catalogue entry notes that “[t]he form and chasing of these candlesticks is reminiscent of a pair belonging to the Marquess of Ormonde, dated 1767, London, by Francis Butty and Nicholas Dumée. The Boulton papers in the assay office indicate the possibility of Dumée working at Soho from 1768-1773, whence Dumée returned to London to enter into a different partnership with William Holmes.”