Essay

These candlesticks would appear to be the second earliest known of a classic design that remained popular through to the 1740’s. In fact their simple elegance has endured several hundred years and such popularity has resulted in many reproductions made in the 20th and 21st centuries. The earliest examples appear to be those of 1683 that belonged to Earl Spencer. These were exhibited at The Park Lane Loan Exhibition, 1929, plate XVII, no 381 and a matching pair no. 382. All were engraved with the arms of the Duke of Marlborough when he was Lord Churchill. They were all slightly bigger than the current pair but like these were made by Pierre Harache. Harache was the first émigré Huguenot silversmith to become free of the Goldsmiths Company in 1682 some 3 years before the infamous Edict of Nantes that ended religious toleration in France. Another set of three plus an unmarked matching candlestick were sold at Christies 30th November, 2006, lot 711, these were also 1685 and by Harache and sold for £18,000 (inc. premium). He was an exceptional silversmith producing some of the finest silver in the late 17th century.