Candlestick
Pierre Platel (b. c.1664, d.1719)
Category
Silver
Date
1708 - 1709
Materials
Silver
Measurements
21 cm (Height); 11.4 cm (Diameter)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Ickworth, Suffolk
NT 852112.1
Summary
One of a pair of Britannia silver candlesticks by Pierre Platel, London, 1708/9, the nozzle probably sterling, c. 1751. The circular foot with dished centre is cast and chased with borders of shells, scrolls and foliage. The cast and chased baluster stem rises from the dished centre to a compressed circular knop decorated with a band of guilloche and rosettes above which is a stepped octagonal base. The stem is then wasted before swelling as an inverted octagonal tear-drop, decorated with four vertical panels comprising medallions of classical heads above ribbon-tied floral pendants, all on matted grounds. Between the panels are shallow flutes with matted grounds. The stem terminates in a pair of small knops chased with shells and C-scrolls on matted ground below and ovoid strapwork on foliate matted ground above. The cast and chased vase-shaped socket has a calyx of formal stiff palm leaves at the base. The plain, circular nozzle has a seamed neck and a raised, flaring wax pan.Heraldry: The dish of the base has been re-engraved c.1751 with the Hervey crest beneath an earl's coronet.
Provenance
Possibly acquired by Sir Thomas Felton, 4th Bt (d. 1709) and from his estate by John, 1st Lord Hervey (subsequently 1st Earl of Bristol); by descent to the 4th Marquess of Bristol; accepted by the Treasury in lieu of death duties in 1956 and transferred to the National Trust.
Credit line
Ickworth, the Bristol Collection (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Underside of base: Hallmarks: Britannia, lion’s head erased, date letter ‘N’, maker’s mark ‘PL’ with crown and star above, fleur de lis below (Arthur Grimwade, London Goldsmiths 1697-1837, 1990, no. 2200). Underside of base: Scratchweights: ‘No 14 [/] 15=0’ and [former weight] ‘13 – 9’. Underside of base.: Paper labels: 'V and A, No.39, 1957-8' and '33A'
Makers and roles
Pierre Platel (b. c.1664, d.1719), goldsmith