Images(5)

girandole

Object NameGirandole

Maker(plaques) probably Josiah Wedgwood & Sons Ltd. (f. 1759)

Made FromLead Glass, Ceramic (Jasperware), Metal Alloy

Dateabout 1785

Place Madeprobably England, Etruria, Staffordshire (plaques)

TechniqueBlown, tooled, cut, gilded

SizeOverall H: 68 cm, W: 43 cm, D: 29 cm

Accession Number2014.2.7 A

Curatorial Area(s)

Early Modern

Exhibitions

In Sparkling Company: Glass and the Costs of Social Life in Britain during the 1700s

On ViewEuropean Gallery

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

Girandoles are candleholders with multiple arms. They were often made in pairs and designed to stand in front of mirrors on mantles or side tables. During the 1700’s, as the hour of dining grew later, new lighting devices were created with elaborate cut-glass arms, drops and chains to refract light and to add sparkle to the room.

Physical DescriptionGirandole. Colorless lead glass, blue and white ceramic (jasperware), metal alloy; blown, tooled, cut, gilded. Dark blue rectangular pedestal decorated with four blue and white jasperware plaques depicting Muses and putti, above which is a glass container supporting a central notched spire and five arms. Two of the arms are central arms with Van Dyck nozzles and pans hung with pear drops. There is a central snake arm hung with a festoon reaching to underneath the pans. At the rear are two curled snake arms with circular drop pendants and a festoon leading up to the canopy over the spire. This canopy is also decorated with pear drops and is surmounted by a central urn.
Provenance

Source Mallett & Son (Antiques) Ltd. - 2013-10-24-2014-10-27
Formerly owned by William Bedford Antiques, North London. The candelabra were purchased by Mallett Antiques from William Bedford Antiques in 1997. Sold by Mallett Antiques to Niki and Joe Gregory in 2002. Sold from the Gregory collection at Sotheby’s, New York, October 24, 2013, Lot 47. Purchased at this auction by Mallett Antiques.

Former Collection Joe Gregory - 2002-2013-10-24
Formerly owned by William Bedford Antiques, North London. The candelabra were purchased by Mallett Antiques from William Bedford Antiques in 1997. Sold by Mallett Antiques to Niki and Joe Gregory in 2002. Sold from the Gregory collection at Sotheby’s, New York, October 24, 2013, Lot 47. Purchased at this auction by Mallett Antiques.

Former Collection Niki Gregory - 2002-2013-10-24
Formerly owned by William Bedford Antiques, North London. The candelabra were purchased by Mallett Antiques from William Bedford Antiques in 1997. Sold by Mallett Antiques to Niki and Joe Gregory in 2002. Sold from the Gregory collection at Sotheby’s, New York, October 24, 2013, Lot 47. Purchased at this auction by Mallett Antiques.

Former Collection Mallett & Son (Antiques) Ltd. - 1997-2002
Formerly owned by William Bedford Antiques, North London. The candelabra were purchased by Mallett Antiques from William Bedford Antiques in 1997. Sold by Mallett Antiques to Niki and Joe Gregory in 2002. Sold from the Gregory collection at Sotheby’s, New York, October 24, 2013, Lot 47. Purchased at this auction by Mallett Antiques.

Former Collection William Bedford Antiques - 1997
Formerly owned by William Bedford Antiques, North London. The candelabra were purchased by Mallett Antiques from William Bedford Antiques in 1997. Sold by Mallett Antiques to Niki and Joe Gregory in 2002. Sold from the Gregory collection at Sotheby’s, New York, October 24, 2013, Lot 47. Purchased at this auction by Mallett Antiques.