Pair of giltwood candlestands
possibly James Moore (c.1670-1726)
Category
Furniture
Date
circa 1716 - 1722
Materials
Giltwood (probably lime wood), gesso
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Treasurer's House, North Yorkshire
NT 592776
Summary
A pair of carved giltwood and gesso candlestands, possibly commissioned by 1st Duke of Marlborough (d.1722) for Blenheim Palace from James Moore Snr. (1670-1726) London, circa 1716-22. Each with a square top with moulded edge and re-entrant corners decorated with gesso floral scrolls and centred by the 1st Duke's monogram, raised on an acanthus carved 'broken' cabriole pedestal column and quad form base with gesso strapwork and bell flowers and with cabriole feet. Some re-gilding.
Full description
It is thought that the pair of stands were supplied for the State Bedchamber at Blenheim Palace by James Moore the Elder and were part of a set which would have included a side table and possibly a mirror. Moore's commission was probably between 1716 and the Duke's death in 1722. Sarah Churchill (d.1744) called in Moore to finish the interiors at Blenheim in 1716 as she was dissatisfied with previous craftsmen and had previously used Moore's services at Marlborough House in London. Bowett discusses the commission in 'Early Georgian Furniture 1715-1740' and notes that there are a series of tables still in the Blenheim collection which can be attributed to Moore and which bear comparable design features to the stands. However, the stands do appear to have been restored and possibly altered since, further research and investigation is required. (James Weedon, November 2019)
Provenance
Given by Frank Green (1861-1954) along with house, garden and contents to the National Trust in 1930.
Marks and inscriptions
(Monogram on top is that of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, Makers initial on base) M
Makers and roles
possibly James Moore (c.1670-1726), cabinetmaker possibly James Moore (c.1670-1726), furniture designer
References
Bowett 2009, Early Georgian Furniture 1715 - 1740 (2009), pp.200-206 Murdoch, Tessa 'The King's Cabinet-Maker: The Giltwood Furniture of James Moore the Elder' Burlington Magazine, June 2003 Dictionary of British and Irish furniture makers online (1660-1840) FHS 2017