A pair of George III gilt-metal mounted blue glass and clear glass three-light candelabra attributed to William Parker circa 1800

each with three twist molded scrolled candle arms with vase-form candle holders with scalloped rims and stellate drip-pans hung with tear and pear drops and two further curved arms supporting faceted spires above similarly hung canopies and centered by a further faceted spire supporting a canopy below an urn-form finial, and hung overall with strings of tear drops, all issuing from a faceted bowl supported on a shaped gilt-metal socle ornamented with stiff leaves above a collar of berried laurel leaves, above a square down-swept faceted column of gilded blue glass applied with oval patera and ram's heads and with a conforming cap ornamented with fluting and foliate bands, the upper corners with eagles with outspread wings, those at the lower corners with scrolls centered by Bacchic masks ornamented with swags of vine leaves and grapes, continuing to a gilt-metal conforming square molded base with incurved sides similarly ornamented with swags of grape vines above a border with Vitruvian scroll ornament, the canted corners with lion masks, and supported on ball feet.

The Collection of Dorothy D. M. Macauley

Sotheby's, New York, October 11, 1996, lot 170, Property from the Estate of Dorothy D. M. Macauley

Overall good condition, the gilt-bronze slightly dirty and with minor wear, the blue glass with minor shallow chip to one edge, some wear to the gilding of the glass; one small spire finial which is not illustrated in the catalogue is present but has a small break to tip with both pieces present; overall with some very minor chips to extremities of cut glass, some drops associated.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This important pair of candelabra or girandoles, is attributed to the London glass maker William Parker whose business in Fleet Street is first recorded in 1762, and is known to have purchased his materials from the nearby glassworks at Whitefriars, although his antecedents are still obscure. One of his earliest recorded commissions appears to be that for supplying chandeliers for Tea Rooms at Bath Assembly Room, and subsequently for replacing faulty ones which had been supplied by Jonathan Collett. On March 28, 1781 Parker took out a patent that covered candelabra bases which are identified by Martin Mortimer, The English Glass Chandelier, p. 97, pl. 43, as the type subsequently supplied to the Duke of Devonshire for Chatsworth House in 1782-83. Their faceted 'patent' bases in green, not blue, gilt-decorated glass, conform in their profile to the present lot, other than having different gilt-metal mounts and glass columns and arms. Another pair by Parker with blue glass 'patent' bases, mounted with gilt-metal rams' heads and paterae was sold in these rooms, October 12, 2007, lot 115, and another pair is illustrated by Mortimer, op. cit., p. 96, pl. 42 ; however, the present pair appear to have the most elaborate gilt-metal mounts so far recorded. Their design, which incorporates eagles with wings outspread, bacchanalian and lion masks and swags of fruiting vines, appears to take its inspiration from the published works of Giovanni Battista Paranesi, including his description of Trajan's Column, published in Rome circa 1774/5, and Vasi, Candelabri etc. published in 1778.