Candleholder
Thomas Mason (1580-1619)
Category
Silver
Date
circa 1727 - 1760
Materials
silver
Measurements
111 mm (H)67 mm (W)66 mm (D)3.7 oz t (Weight)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
NT 1246856
Summary
A George II taperstick on square base with cut-in rounded corners and octagonal stem, with a later nozzle.
Full description
A George II taperstick on square base with cut-in rounded corners and octagonal stem, with a later nozzle. A taperstick is similar to, and usually in the style of, a candlestick, but smaller and is used to hold a thin candle called a taper. Tapersticks usually exist singly and not as a pair since one is usually sufficient for the intended use. The socket is sometimes lined with paper in order to secure the tall thin taper. The taper, made of wax and non-odorous, was used mainly for melting sealing wax and for lighting candles, tobacco pipes, etc, and not as lighting.
Provenance
Date of acquisition not recorded, but originally at 16 Charles Street, Mayfair, Mrs Greville's London home, and bequeathed by Margaret McEwan, The Hon. Mrs Ronald Greville (1863-1942) with Polesden Lacey, to the National Trust, in memory of her father, William McEwan (1827-1913) in 1942. This item found on the probate inventory record for Charles Street chattels at Polesden Lacey, silver, page 55.
Marks and inscriptions
T.M / a shield / a lion / T (makers marks stamped on base)
Makers and roles
Thomas Mason (1580-1619), maker