Silver Queen Anne Candlestick

Location

Country: UK
City: London
Place: Commonwealth Secretariat, Marlborough House

This neo-classical candlestick has a stepped base supporting a fluted, Greek style column. It is part of a collection of some 60 items of historic Government silver, most of which were transferred to the Government Art Collection from the Privy Council Office. Many of the items were supplied by the Jewel House, the department of the Royal Household responsible for producing silver for British Government use.

The base of the candlestick is engraved with the Royal Coat of Arms and the monogram 'AR', referring to Queen Anne, during whose reign it was made. Its design is a style which disappeared from production shortly after this example was made, partly as a result of changing fashions and partly because of developments in production methods. In the early eighteenth century, the technique of casting silver began to be employed and this particular design was not well suited to being cast. Also, neo-classical designs fell out of favour soon after 1700 and it was not until the 1760s or 1770s that there was a revival in taste for this style.

Philip Rollos was a goldsmith who worked in England, but was probably born in France and of Huguenot extraction (the Huguenots were members of the Protestant Reformed Church). He lived in England for some years before his denization (when he became an adopted citizen) in 1691. During the late seventeenth century, Rollos owned a successful goldsmith's workshop in London and became one of the Subordinate Goldsmiths to William III and Queen Anne. He was succeeded in this role by his son, Philip Rollos the Younger (active 1705-after 1720).

Places

Subjects

Materials & Techniques

britannia silver, Sheffield plate, candlestick (as object name)

Artist

Philip Rollos (c1660 - after 1715)

Title

Silver Queen Anne Candlestick

Date

1702-1703

Medium

Britannia silver candlestick with detachable Sheffield plate nozzle

Dimensions

height: 24.50 cm, width: 15.30 cm, depth: 15.20 cm

Acquisition

Transferred from the Privy Council Office, January 2008

GAC number

DM34